I don’t know Guy Verhofstadt from a hole in the road. I know that he is “The Chief Brexit Negotiator” and, according to the BBC (because I wouldn’t have known otherwise), the former Belgian prime minister. As a typical Brit, albeit one with a typically Norwegian name, I pay little attention to political matters in Belgium and for that, I should feel ashamed of myself. Anyway, I know who he is now and he’s said something I rather like. He wants to allow those of us Brits who don’t want to turn our backs on Europe to retain some of the benefits of EU membership.
Mr Verhofstadt says this: “All British citizens today have also EU citizenship. That means a number of things: the possibility to participate in the European elections, the freedom of travel without problem inside the union. We need to have an arrangement in which this arrangement can continue for those citizens who on an individual basis are requesting it.” Now, given that Britain is to leave the EU – and yes, as a remoaner, I am still desperately sad and angry about it – I am not unduly bothered about voting in European elections, but if I get the vote, I’ll definitely use it. I’m more interested in some of the other stuff.
I can see the beginnings of an arrangement that could suit all points of view. Now I know that 52% of the electorate voted to end free movement within the EU. No matter how much I object, that sadly is what happened. What Mr Verhofstadt seems to be suggesting is that those of us who wish to retain some form of European citizenship then we should be allowed to keep it, perhaps associate EU citizenship. Personally, I would still like the opportunity to travel around the EU without restrictions and more importantly, to me anyway because I can’t speak on behalf the “leavers”, the rights of our children to travel, live, love, study and work abroad.
Personally, I am quite happy with my EU passport and don’t particularly want to go through the considerable expense of having to buy a new British one. I am confident because I am a citizen of Britain, Europe and the world. I don’t see people as being particularly different, and certainly not worse than me, just because they might look and talk a bit differently.
I’m serious about this. Whilst I really would like the electorate to have a change of heart and reverse a future of uncertainty and, in all likelihood, chaos, there is little evidence that that change is a-coming. Theresa May has, I feel, captured a very ugly mood, reflective of the post truth (i.e. lies) Trump era, where immigration is regarded by so many people as more important to the country than the prosperity of themselves and their families. To date, those of us with a different, dare I say more liberal, point of view have lost the argument and we need to recognise that.
I do not seek any additional rights through remaining an associate EU member, or whatever they end up calling it. I just want to be able to keep at least some of the rights I already have and for those who feel the same to have the opportunity to keep theirs. No one should be forced to seek such an arrangement, especially the leavers who have made their position clear. Many of the 48% may feel rather differently and should not be ignored.
