SESSION ON LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING UK NATIONALS POST-BREXIT

LETTER FROM EU CITIZENS TO THERESA MAY

LOS BRITÁNICOS EN MADRID SE MOVILIZAN PARA DEFENDER SUS DERECHOS COMO CIUDADANOS EUROPEOS

  El 29 de noviembre unas cien personas asistieron a la presentación de EuroCitizens en el Centro Gallego de Madrid. El nuevo grupo defenderá los derechos que han disfrutado los británicos como ciudadanos europeos, ahora en peligro por el Brexit. El 90% de los presentes en la sala ni siquiera pudieron votar en el referendo por llevar más de quince años fuera de su país.   EuroCitizens también colaborará con las organizaciones de españoles que viven en el Reino Unido para mantener los derechos de los emigrantes allí y trabajará por una Europa abierta y tolerante. Uno de los objetivos a corto plazo es conseguir más apoyo, no sólo entre la comunidad británica, sino también entre las empresas y universidades afectadas por el Brexit y los españoles que tienen vínculos con el Reino Unido. Hay más de 9.000 británicos empadronados en la Comunidad de  Madrid y es una población heterogénea y dispersa, en general muy integrada en la sociedad española en contraste con los británicos de la costa. Otra meta será establecer lazos con grupos afines en España, Gran Bretaña y el resto de Europa. Antes de la activación del árticulo 50 por la primera ministra May a finales de marzo, EuroCitizens organizará una mesa redonda para analizar las consecuencias para la ciudadanía británica y española del Brexit y para reclamar soluciones a las administraciones británicas, españolas y europeas.   Asistió al acto la cónsul británica en Madrid, Sarah-Jane Morris que está recorriendo España y hablando con los residentes británicos sobre el impacto del Brexit. Durante el acto los asistentes comentaron los posibles problemas: la pérdida de los derechos recíprocos de sanidad pública y pensiones actualizadas, dificultades para conseguir los permisos de trabajo especialmente para los autónomos y las personas que llevan menos tiempo en el país, obstáculos para los jóvenes que quieren estudiar en España, una pérdida total de los derechos políticos y judiciales que garantiza la UE.
   En resumen el Brexit es un desastre en potencia para unos cuidadanos que se sienten europeos y que han echado sus raíces en España. Han sido abandonados a su suerte y convertidos en moneda de cambio en las negociaciones para la salida del Reino Unido de la Unión Europea que prometen ser muy largas y muy duras.
   EuroCitizens pretende representar una parte de estos ciudadanos olvidados por sus propios compatriotas y líderes políticos.

THE VITAL STATISTICS ABOUT BRITONS LIVING IN SPAIN

Here are some statistics about Britons in Spain, collated by the British Consulate in Madrid. Some comment is needed. The numbers of UK nationals went down sharply with the introduction of double taxation between Spain and Britain and the obligation to declare all overseas assets for Spanish residents in 2012. Most Britons are retirees living on the costas, but there is a sizeable population in employment. In Madrid, there are 9,000 Brits registered with the townhall but probably lots more who are not.
The basic news is that there are over three hundred thousand British citizens in Spain who have been left in the lurch by Brexit, many of who were not able to vote in the referendum.

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF BREXIT ON UK UNIVERSITY FEES FOR SPANISH RESIDENTS

John Carrivick

John Carrivick of EuroCitizens has written an article (see below) about the potential impact of Brexit on UK university fees for British, Spanish and other EU applicants normally resident in Spain. In the future, Spanish residents (British or otherwise) will probably have to pay as 'overseas students'. This means that, instead of a set fee of 9,250 pounds with access to loans and possible reductions for grants, the total cost could be up to five times higher (if you want to study medicine at Cambridge University).

Full article:

UK NATIONALS IN MADRID UNITE TO DEFEND THEIR EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS

First public meeting of EuroCitizens: Madrid 29/11/16    Photo: EuroCitizens

On Tuesday 29 November, around a hundred people attended the presentation of EuroCitizens in a packed venue in central Madrid. The new group will be working to defend the EU citizenship rights of UK nationals in Spain. As well as discussing the aims of the group, there was a question and answer session on the impact of Brexit on British expats with the British consul in Madrid, Sarah-Jane Morris.
  
See full report:

PETITION: DUAL NATIONALITY FOR BRITONS WHO HAVE RESIDED IN SPAIN FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS

William Chislett talking at EuroCitizens' meeting

On 29 November, at the first public meeting of EuroCitizens, journalist and researcher William Chislett gave a short talk about his petition to the Spanish Government for dual nationality for Britons residing in Spain. Below is the text of his speech. If you are interested in signing the petition, go to: 

https://www.change.org/p/dual-nationality-for-brits-who-have-resided-in-spain-for-more-than-10-years

William's speech:

FIRST PUBLIC EVENT OF EUROCITIZENS: 29/11 CENTRO GALLEGO, MADRID

How is Brexit going to affect me as a UK national in Spain? What scenarios could guarantee my current rights as a European citizen? What can we do to fight for our futures? What is EuroCitizens and what does the group aim to do? We will deal with all these questions and more tomorrow evening (Tuesday 29 November, 19,00) in the Centro Gallego in Madrid. Members of EuroCitizens will talk about the group's objectives and plans. The British Consul, Sarah-Jane Morris will discuss the possible impact of Brexit on UK nationals. The journalist and researcher, William Chislett, will talk about a petition for dual national for Britons in Spain. Then you will have the chance to mention your concerns and ask questions. We hope that you can come!

WHAT YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BREXIT, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK...

REFERENCES THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL, INTERESTING…

PETITIONS 
(the British Government will respond to a petition of 10,000 signatures and with 100,000, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament)
1  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/150220      We require any BRexit deal preserves UK access to EU collaborative R&D programs.
2  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/171148    A Referendum on whether the UK Government negotiates 'soft' or 'hard' Brexit
3   https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/166833   Preserve all existing rights of UK citizens to Freedom of Movement in the EU
4  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/133540  Let Parliament decide whether or not we remain a member of the European Union
5  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/135700  Keep the Free Movement of People Between the UK and the EU
6  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/161997  On BREXIT British expatriates should retain their healthcare within the EU
7  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/161717  Maintain Pension increases for British pensioners living in the EU.
8 https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/159977  Recognise Brexit is too costly, cancel and prioritise spending on the NHS
9  https://www.change.org/p/uk-government-and-parliament-please-let-me-vote  Please let me vote- loss of fundamental voting right
10  https://www.change.org/p/rt-hon-david-cameron-mp-give-us-our-votes-back-let-all-british-citizens-living-in-the-eu-vote-in-the-eu-referendum-3  Give us our votes back! Let all British citizens living in the EU vote in the EU referendum.
11  https://www.change.org/p/dual-nationality-for-brits-who-have-resided-in-spain-for-more-than-10-years  Dual nationality for Brits who have resided in Spain for more than 10 years
12  https://www.change.org/p/eu-petition-urge-the-eu-to-require-a-stronger-mandate-for-brexit-from-the-uk-government?tk=JW4hhjM--qnjPHSxZ1z52AtKjCICCojy4TQes_W8F64&utm_source=supporter_signature_milestone_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=supporter_signatures_25000&utm_term=supporter_signature_milestone_email  Urge the EU to require a stronger mandate for Brexit from the UK Government
13  https://www.change.org/p/gobierno-de-espa%C3%B1a-doble-nacionalidad-para-brit%C3%A1nicos-con-mas-de-diez-a%C3%B1os-de-residencia-en-espa%C3%B1a  For dual nationality
14  https://www.change.org/p/stop-article-50-from-being-invoked-last-and-only-option-to-stop-brexit?recruiter=38850336&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=mob-sm-share_petition-no_msg    Stop Article 50 from being invoked. Last and ONLY option to stop Brexit.
15  https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/associate-citizenship-of-the-eu-for-those-who-voted-to-remain  Associate membership of EU for those who voted to remain

BLOGS
1  https://eurocitizens2020.blogspot.com.es/  OUR BLOG
2  https://votes-for-expat-brits-blog.com/   Campaign for vote  for expat Brits
3  http://eulawanalysis.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/what-happens-to-british-expatriates-if.html  EU Law Analysis
4  http://eu-rope.ideasoneurope.eu/2015/10/22/many-affected-eu-referendum-will-vote/   Former BBC investigative journalist, Jon Danzig, on Brexit and how opportunites have been lost as dates come closer to March 2017
5  http://britsineurope.org/congratulations-on-your-umbrella-organisation-website/  Brits in Europe
6  http://www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/news/on-euro-weekly-news/costa-del-sol-malaga/141234-informative-talk-organised-by-brexpats-in-spain Brexpats in Spain - Mijas
7 http://www.fairdealforexpats.com/   strong campaigning group based in France
8  http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/  LSE blog
9  http://one-europe.info/about  European citizens volunteer organisation
10 www.survivefrance.com  Biarritz-based British expat’s blog covering wide range of topics
11 http://europeanmovement.eu/   PROMOTING emu, security, free movement and transparency in Europe
12 http://euromove.org.uk/   coordinating several grassroots campaigns, supporting our place in Europe post referendum

MEDIA/PRESS
1  http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36159009  EU Referendum: Britons abroad lose vote legal bid – Shindler and MacLennan
2  http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161108-the-expats-stranded-by-brexit  The expats who don’t want to come home
3  http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/clive-bull/how-you-could-keep-eu-citizenship-after-brexit/   on how to keep EU citizenship after Brexit
4  http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2016/11/17/actualidad/1479383174_186035.html  3 out of 10 British companies will reduce investment in Spain
5  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/nov/01/expats-deserve-mps  Give Brits on Costa del Sol their own MP in Westminster
6  http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37909299  Scottish govt seeks EU negotiations
7  https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/21/sir-richard-branson-funding-new-campaign-group-fighting-brexit  Branson funding antiBrexit campaign
8  www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-article-50_uk_581c5bcbe4b0c2e24aaf35b1?cv4h9835bcqi9evcxr     Theresa May article from Huff Post
9  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/04/world/europe/uk-brexit-vote-parliament.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share  High Court ruling on Article 50

ACADEMIA
1  http://ukandeu.ac.uk/british-citizens-or-eu-citizens-the-brexit-referendum-and-british-expats/ Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and based at King’s College London, the Initiative will explore the key aspects of UK and EU dynamics.
2  http://www.politico.eu/article/lse-foreign-academics-barred-from-advising-uk-on-brexit/  Foreign academics barred from advising on Brexit
3  http://www.ucml.ac.uk/events/06-01-17.html  University council of modern languages event in January 2017
4  http://studentsforeurope.org/author/tim-verboven/   Students for Europe

UK GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
1  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/558280/overseas_electors_policy_statement.pdf   A democracy that works for everyone: British citizens overseas
2  file:///C:/Users/susanj/Downloads/SN05923.pdf  Cabinet Briefing Paper on Overseas Brits and vote

EU
1 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_2.1.3.html  Fact sheet on free movement of persons

OMBUDSMAN UK
1 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-rights/brexit/brexit/  How to file complaint on grounds of discrimination?

OTHER
1  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZv3pSaLtY  Bertrand Russell talking in 1959
2  http://parnellacademy.com/?page_id=5872&lang=en  Richard Parnell on the Costa del Sol offering Spanish classes to Brexpats
3  http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/synopsis/articles/29-The-Great-Dictator-s-Speech The Great Dictator Speech

29/11: PRESENTATION OF EUROCITIZENS IN MADRID

On 29 November (19h Centro Gallego, Madrid) we will present our new association, EuroCitizens. We will explain our aims and how we hope to defend the EU citizenship rights of both UK nationals in Spain and Spanish citizens in Britain. Sarah-Jane Morris, British Consul in Madrid, will be attending and will talk about the possible impact of Brexit on British citizens here. We hope that you can come. Please share the information with family, friends and colleagues.

Emails to pass on:

PETICIÓN: LA DOBLE NACIONALIDAD PARA BRITÁNICOS CON 10 AÑOS DE RESIDENCIA

Hay una petición en Change.org para pedir al gobierno Español que conceda la doble nacionalidad a británicos con más de 10 años de residencia. Permitir la doble nacionalidad a los residentes de larga duración requiere un cambio en la legislación española. No sería la primera vez. Por ejemplo, en 2015 el gobierno de Mariano Rajoy ofreció la doble nacionalidad a los descendientes de los judíos expulsados en 1492. Resulta que los españoles en el RU sí tienen el derecho de pedir la doble nacionalidad después de 5 años de residencia. 

Petición en Change.org

GILES TREMLETT ON 'BREXPAT BLUES': A FUTURE WITHOUT RIGHTS

Giles Tremlett    Photo: Casa del Libro

Journalist and author Giles Tremlett has written an excellent article in Prospect Magazine (see link below) about the impact of Brexit on UK nationals living in the EU. He points out that no British politicians seem to have considered the futures of people who have made their lives in the EU under the safe umbrella of European citizenship. When this protection is removed on Britain's imminent departure from the Union, European identity will be erased overnight, existing citizen rights will disappear, lives and families may be shattered. Tremlett not only asks for Brexpats to campaign for their rights but calls for a wider debate on the benefits to the UK of the British diaspora. He points out how shabbily treated they have been by their own government, denied political representation after fifteen years of living abroad. Definitely an article worth reading.

Links:
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/opinions/brexpat-blues-britain-leave-european-union-ex-pats#widget_user
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Tremlett

EU NATIONALS WILL BE 'ONE OF MAIN CARDS' IN 'HARD BREXIT' NEGOTIATIONS

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox   Photo: Sky News

As we expected at EuroCitizens, the rights and futures of millions of people have become bargaining chips in the post-Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU. Trade Minister Liam Fox could not have been clearer when he refused to give any reassurances about the future of EU nationals in Britain. That would be 'to hand over one of our main cards in the negotiations' stated the hardline Brexiter. Thus it is evident that both Britons in Europe and Europeans in the UK will be used as levers to obtain trade deals and better conditions for Britain's divorce with the EU. Prime Minister May and her team of hadline Brexiters have also shown that this will not be an easy separation. Stopping immigrants coming into the UK and reasserting 'national sovereignty' will prevail over a softer approach. 
In our opinion, this means that joining together to fight for our rights and futures (and those of Spaniards in Britain) has become more important than ever. 
On October 15, EuroCitizens will be holding our first public meeting (more information). 

Links:
http://news.sky.com/story/eu-nationals-in-uk-one-of-our-main-cards-in-brexit-deal-liam-fox-10605533
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/eu-citizens-right-live-uk-one-main-cards-brexit-negotiations-says-liam-fox-1584828 
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/04/liam-fox-refuses-to-guarantee-right-of-eu-citizens-to-remain-in-uk

PUBLIC MEETING: EUROCITIZENS AFTER BREXIT- OUR RIGHTS, OUR FUTURE

PETITION: URGE THE EU TO REQUIRE A STRONGER MANDATE FOR BREXIT FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT

In contrast to the undemocratic image of the EU portrayed by referendum campaigners, it is a little known fact that every single citizen of the European Union can directly petition the European Parliament and be heard. There is no minimum signatory requirement and every petition will be responded to. The following petition is therefore being sent directly to the EU Chairman of the Petitions Committee, and is also being filed through the European Parliament petitions portal, where you can express additional support.

Link to the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/eu-petition-urge-the-eu-to-require-a-stronger-mandate-for-brexit-from-the-uk-government?recruiter=55973738&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

POST-BREXIT: AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR BRITONS IN SPAIN, FOR SPANIARDS IN THE UK

We are a group of British citizens living and working in Spain. We are concerned about our future and that of Spanish citizens living in the United Kingdom. We have become bargaining chips in the negotiations between the British government and the EU. We face years of uncertainty, losing our rights as European citizens, our lives being severely disrupted. 
At an initial meeting held in Madrid in mid September, we agreed to set up a group to represent our interests. We also decided to try to form a sister group in the UK to fight for the rights of Spanish citizens there. We are particularly worried about the alarming increase in hate-crimes and intolerance in Britain towards EU citizens, one of the many negative fall-outs from the Brexit referendum. 
If you are interested in joining our group, please write to: eurocitizens2016@gmail.com.