Ian Cowley, who currently lives in the Basque Country, says UK nationals desperately need some clarity on their post-Brexit rights
IN the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum I reflected on my disappointment and sadness at how the result could affect the opportunities of future generations of Scots to live and work in the EU.
Several months have gone by and disgracefully we are still none the wiser as to what Brexit implies to UK nationals who live and work in EU countries – and that's without mentioning the reciprocal situation of EU nationals residing in the UK.
Until last week's High Court ruling, we were hurtling towards a hard Brexit where UK nationals would effectively be stripped of their rights as EU citizens, without even the opportunity for a parliamentary debate on the matter.
Several months have gone by and disgracefully we are still none the wiser as to what Brexit implies to UK nationals who live and work in EU countries.
While politicians on all sides of the debate squabbled over what the ruling meant, there was little talk of the implication of the reversal of citizens' rights which have been in place for decades.
As someone who lives and works in the EU, I have benefited greatly from the Maastricht Treaty. Freedom of movement and residence for inhabitants is the cornerstone of EU citizenship. Many jobs in EU countries require the applicant to be an EU national.
With so much uncertainty surrounding Brexit, it wouldn't be surprising that a company or institution in the EU would think twice about hiring a UK national. So although article 50 is yet to be invoked, Brexit has effectively already removed our rights as individuals to seek work in EU countries.
And the implications of this relate not just to the ability to work in the EU but also to reside, buy property or raise children, among other legal rights.
That the implementation of Brexit will now at least be debated in the UK Parliament (pending the Tory government’s appeal) is a glimmer of hope for those of us in this position of uncertainty.
I highly commend the work done by Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government to reassure EU nationals living in Scotland as well as their intention to seek to intervene against the UK Government's appeal to the Supreme Court.
As the First Minister has made clear, triggering Article 50 will deprive Scottish people of rights and freedoms which they currently enjoy. However, there has been very little mention of the status of Scottish or indeed British nationals living and working outside the UK.
We also exist, we have lives, jobs and families which are being put under huge strain by the absolutely incompetent handling of Brexit on behalf of the UK Government.
That the implementation of Brexit will now at least be debated in the UK Parliament (pending the Tory government’s appeal) is a glimmer of hope for those of us in this position of uncertainty.
Read more – Ian Merrilees: Supreme Court could send Brexit on lengthy detour through Europe
I can't keep feeling, however, that the only true way for us Scots to maintain the legal rights we have held for decades is for Scotland to retain full EU membership.
Whether that is through becoming independent of the rest of the UK or if there is another way, our elected politicians must find a solution to protect the rights of their citizens.
Not until we are guaranteed the rights that are being taken away from us can we hope to carry on with our lives with relative normality. Theresa May has an obligation to her citizens to protect their livelihoods and if her government is unable to recognise that then it is not fit to govern.
Picture courtesy of MPD01605
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