Stockport Labour last night led Stockport Councillors in unanimously calling upon Government to ensure non-British EU citizens’ rights are maintained after Britain is due to leave the European Union.
During the June 28th Council meeting, recently elected Councillor for Cheadle Hulme North, David Meller put forward a motion calling on Government to maintain the rights for non- British EU citizens. These include the right to vote and stand in Local Elections, rights of residence, and continuance of all other rights they have enjoyed for many years in our communities.
The motion also seeks greater clarity from Government on these points to provide reassurance to affected residents, many of whom feel unsure about their future plans due to Brexit- a situation of concern also affecting many families and partners.
The move backs the aims of the ‘3milliion’ campaign which was formed after the Brexit referendum to protect the lives of EU citizens who have made the UK their home. The campaign takes its name from the estimated number of EU citizens who moved from another member state to live and work, and have established their life in the UK, many for a very long time.
Commenting on the night, Cllr David Meller said:
“I’m pleased to see the whole council getting behind this motion, as this issue is not about party politics, it is about people. People we as councillors represent as our constituents, our voters and members of our communities.
“EU Citizens not born in Britain pay council tax and live in our communities, and so they have a full right for us, as councillors to stand up on their behalf on matters of concern. I have been hearing many stories where people feel unsure about the future, and feel they’ve been treated like numbers in a negotiation.
“Although the Government’s recent announcement on this matter is to be welcomed, it seeks to charge some families up to £200 to administer rights they currently enjoy – with no guarantee their status won’t change in future.
“These residents have paid into our system with many years of Tax and are now been asked to pay for something they have already. The Government approach also still lacks detail on specifics; which are vital for anyone to be able to plan securely for their future.”
“We as a Council are simply asking the Government to improve this and provide that security and stability for non-British born EU citizens and their families. This will help them plan for the future, something which is good for families and good for the economy of Stockport. “
The full text of the motion is below:
Motion on the rights of E Citizens: 06/2018
This Council notes:
- that many EU nationals, having enjoyed shared EU citizenship with their British Counterparts for decades, have chosen to make Britain their home and base for their careers and families;
- that subsequent to the Referendum of June 2016, EU nationals have faced uncertainty as their future status given a lack of clarity on the issue from Government;
- that many EU nationals, despite years of having been settled in the UK, are now being required to apply for the right to reside in the United Kingdom.
This Council further recognises that:
- EU citizens living in Stockport have the right to vote in the upcoming Local Election and, as such are our constituents who have a right to our full support and representation on all matters of concern to them;
- there is an ongoing campaign to ensure EU citizens living in the UK can continue to enjoy the rights they have become accustomed to.
This Council therefore resolves to:
- support all EU citizens living in our respective wards to our fullest ability;
- request that the Chief Executive write to the current Secretary of State for the Home Department, Sajid Javid, requesting that EU citizens living here keep their rights to vote and be candidates in local elections after such time as Britain may leave the European Union;
- in that letter, advocate for the simplification of the application process for permanent residence and citizenship – including the removal of requirements for private sickness insurance or checking minimum earnings; and
- also in that letter, request that future registration processes for EU citizens be as light touch as practicable and adequately funded by the government.
Moved by: Cllr David Meller
Seconded by: Cllr Amanda Peers