EU citizens’ rights in the UK are still uncertain after Brexit

EU citizens’ rights in the UK are still uncertain, even after Theresa May says 95% of Brexit deal is settled.

The Prime Minister has reportedly guaranteed the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, even in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. However, Bloomberg Brexit editor Emma Ross-Thomas describes this as nothing more than a ‘political statement of intent’ rather than a binding argument. Yet she assures that there is no real expectation of the UK ‘chucking down’ on EU citizens in the case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, especially since there are more pressing issues at hand, and risking staff shortages will make businesses ‘scream’ on top of everything else.

The transition period has also been reportedly settled, starting on 29 March 2019, the official day of the 'Brexit', through to December 2020, though she has opened the possibility of extending this period because of unsolved issues regarding the Irish border.

London mayor Sadiq Khan says the current Brexit trajectory is a ‘lose-lose’ situation for Britain, risking safety and living standards. He is currently standing up for the rights of Londoners and ‘all the EU citizens who have made London their home’, and has begun to deal directly with Europe to ensure London remains ‘a key partner for Brussels and cities across Europe’.

It appears that issues regarding the Irish border, military presence in Cyprus, and Gibraltar’s status are the bulk of the remaining 5% of the deal to be settled, though Spanish president Pedro Sánchez says the Gibraltar issue is settled, and the disputed territory will leave the EU along with the UK.

By: Ana Hernandez