THE UK PROPOSALS FOR CITIZENS' RIGHTS: THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL

See below some more in-depth analysis of what the recent UK offer on citizens' rights means for us. 
We will also be publishing the detailed reactions of the British in Europe legal team soon. This week coalition representatives met with Michel Barnier's deputy, Guy Verhofstadt of the European Parliament and Didier Seeuws of the European Council (EU27 governments) and received a positive reaction. 
There seems to be a general consensus that the offer was the bare minimum and with considerable lack of clarity on key issues. 

Analysis:

23/06: EUROCITIZENS MEETING- PREPARING FOR THE LONG HAUL

The last EuroCitizens meeting before the break, and a year after the Brexit referendum, was held at the Centro Gallego on Friday 23 June and, considering the date, time and extreme heat, the turn-out was fantastic with a full house. The meeting was extremely productive and good ideas (and volunteers to carry them out) emerged from it. Brexit negotiations have just begun and they promise to be long and arduous. EuroCitizens is ready for this, we are prepared for a long battle to keep our citizenship rights.

Report on meeting:

GOVERNMENT MUST DO MUCH MORE TO PROTECT UK CITIZENS IN EUROPE

PRESS RELEASE June 27, 2017

British in Europe*, the largest coalition of UK citizens groups in Europe, warns that the government needs to do more to protect the futures of 1.2 million UK citizens in the EU with its offer on citizens rights published on Monday. 

British in Europe Chair Jane Golding said:
“Apart from the fact that paper makes very few detailed mentions of UK citizens in Europe – even though we represent by far the largest national group of people who will be impacted by the citizens rights deal – the government strategy is clearly putting our future rights at risk. It insists on both reciprocity and on restricting some of the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK. That means that the EU may well respond with measures to restrict some of our current rights too. That would be the exact opposite to Theresa May’s stated intention to use reciprocity in order to protect those rights.
“Our meetings with DExEU officials and ministers on Monday were constructive – but we believe the UK government must do a lot more to show that it takes seriously its duty of care and protection to 1.2m UK citizens in Europe. Otherwise we run the risk of being the sacrificial lambs of Brexit, while the government focuses instead on immigration arrangements for EU citizens already in the UK.”
“The UK government’s offer lacks clarity in comparison to the detailed EU offer published end May. There is very little here about what Theresa May actually wants to achieve for us and how our rights should be protected, despite the UK Government emphasising all along that they wanted to protect the rights of British citizens living in the EU. Since we are the biggest national group, more than 1.2 million, affected by Brexit, the Government needs to think carefully about how its offer to EU citizens in the UK may impact the offer that UK citizens already have on the table from the EU."
“In our view, to suggest that any offer made by either side would be generous is simply wrong - all we want and EU citizens in the UK want is to keep the status quo and get on with our lives. It is a matter of justice - people made lives, careers and founded families in other countries in good faith and with the legitimate expectation that the rules would remain the same for the rest of their lives. People have had their lives on hold now for a year. Until there is final deal, and that deal is ring fenced from the other issues so that whatever happens in the negotiations, it will stand, we won’t be able to sleep at night and will still be bargaining chips.”
“British in Europe has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that UK citizens in the EU – those who will be at the forefront of our future relationship with Europe – are treated fairly. While the government was passing Article 50 and holding elections, we were consulting with the EU over their negotiating stance, which was improved to take in several of our suggestions. We have also been keeping DExEU officials and ministers up-to-date about our needs and concerns. We hope to continue that relationship in

order to help the government carry out its stated mission to protect the futures of UK citizens living in the EU.”
British in Europe Deputy Chair, Fiona Godfrey, who also attended the meeting with ministers on Monday added:
“This may be an opening gambit but at the moment, because this is an issue for the UK vis- a-vis EU citizens’ rights going forward, we lose family reunification rights - bringing over sick relatives, going back to the UK with non-UK, EU spouses - which we currently have in our countries of residence, just like EU citizens in the UK. And it looks as if our British kids will be on international fees at Universities after 2019, and also risk not being able to return to EU27 countries after their studies, unless the permanent residence position of students studying in the UK pre- and post-Brexit is clarified. On healthcare, despite Theresa May’s statement in the House of Commons that the UK would continue to provide healthcare cover in the EU, the language on this is vague, the UK “will seek to protect the healthcare arrangements”. The language on pensions is also muddling ’
Godfrey continues: "This is the same for the proposal on mutual recognition, where the language is also vague, and as far as we can see, cross border working. These are important issues, given that around 80% of UK citizens in the EU are working people who want to know that their livelihoods are secured in future." 

BACKGROUND:
There are 1.2 Million UK citizens in the EU. The next largest group to be impacted by the citizens’ rights deal will be the 880,000 Poles in the UK. After that (given that Irish citizens are covered by a separate treaty) come 300,000 Germans (see here).
On Thursday last week, Theresa May outlined her offer to EU citizens in the UK to EU leaders at a dinner in Brussels and yesterday the detailed offer was unveiled in London. Members of British in Europe, the coalition of 11 UK citizens’ groups in the EU, were at a meeting at the House of Commons with DExEU Minister, Robin Walker, and Immigration Minister, Brandon Mitchell, to discuss the contents of the offer shortly before Theresa May made her statement in the House of Commons on this.
The background is that the EU made its detailed offer public end May, having published a draft on 3 May, on which British in Europe, and the EU citizens’ group, the3million, with which British in Europe work closely, were asked by the European Commission to comment. The UK is therefore now responding, given that a EU offer was already on the table.
Apart from the area of family reunification, British in Europe sees two other points as likely to raise issues during the negotiations: the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union going forward, and, critically, the cut-off date. Until the cut-off date is clear, neither EU citizens in the UK nor UK citizens in the EU will have final certainty about their position. At the moment, a date somewhere between 29 March 2017, the date on which Article 50 was triggered and the date the UK is due to leave the EU is being discussed. However, EU law applies in full in the UK until Brexit date and thus any date earlier than that would be difficult for the UK government to justify legally.
As far as the issue of the Court of Justice is concerned, that is a matter for the negotiations

and British in Europe notes that the EU has built some flexibility into their proposal. Ultimately, there will need to be some form of dispute resolution body and a way for individuals to enforce their rights. Whichever body that might be, and even if it were the Court of Justice, in practice, all this would mean is the UK courts making decisions about EU citizens' rights and simply referring to that body as they saw fit. 

* EuroCitizens is one of the dozen groups in British in Europe.

LA OFERTA DE MAY REBAJA NUESTRO ESTATUS COMO 'CIUDADANOS EUROPEOS' A 'INMIGRANTES ASENTADOS'

Theresa May ha esperado un año para ofrecer a los ciudadanos europeos en el Reino Unido el estatus de 'inmigrante asentado', sin gran parte de sus derechos actuales. A la vez ignora por completo las propuestas detalladas de la Comisión Europea que garantizan casi en su totalidad los derechos de la ciudadanía europea para los británicos en la UE. Las reacciones a la 'generosa oferta' han sido muy negativas y Donald Tusk ha señalado que las propuestas 'pueden dañar los esfuerzos de la UE para proteger a los británicos en la la UE'. En otras palabras, el gobierno de Gran Bretaña está buscando de forma activa reducir los derechos de sus propios ciudadanos.

La principal propuesta del gobierno es que los europeos que estén residente antes de una fecha para acordar (entre 2017 y 2019) puedan solicitar el estatus de 'inmigrante asentado' y así no tener que abandonar el país u obtener un permiso de trabajo. Después del 29 de marzo del 2019 habrá un periodo de transición de dos años para facilitar este proceso. Sin embargo, los 150.000 europeos que ya han pasado el complejo y costoso proceso de solicitud de la 'Residencia Permanente' tendrán que repetirlo.

Un 'inmigrante asentado' no es lo mismo que un ciudadano y la propuesta de May resultará en la pérdida de muchos derechos y beneficios. Lo más positivo de la propuesta es la garantía de una actualización automática en las pensiones para los pensionistas británicos, algo que no tiene que ver con la negociación. En términos de los beneficios sociales, las pensiones agregadas y la cobertura médica, el gobierno británico 'intentará mantener' la situación actual, pero no explica cómo. Cambiar el actual marco europeo por uno nuevo será una tarea muy compleja. 

¿Qué significa esta oferta para los derechos de los británicos en la UE dado que cualquier acuerdo tiene que ser recíproco? Primero, perderemos el actual derecho de la reunificación familiar, de traer a nuestros familiares enfermos o mayores para vivir con nosostros o de llevar a nuestros esposos e hijos al Reino Unido. Segundo, a partir de 2019, perderemos la posibilidad de pagar las tasas universarias como británicos y recibir un apoyo financiero. Tercero, si estamos fuera de nuestro país de residencia por más de tres años, perderemos todos nuestros derechos como 'inmigrante asentado'. Además perderemos nuestos derechos políticos y el derecho a la no-discriminación que garantiza el Tribunal Europeo. Otros temas como la convalidación de títulos y el derecho a montar negocios quedan menos claros.

Finalmente, el gobierno del RU rechaza de forma tajante el papel del Tribunal Europeo de Justicia en Luxemburgo en la aplicación de un acuerdo, algo que complicará las negociaciones sobre la ciudadanía. A pesar del peligro de que el RU salga de la Unión sin un acuerdo, el gobierno no propone separar o blindar los derechos de los ciudadanos.

En conclusión, la oferta de Theresa May es la mínima posible y muy por debajo de las propuestas de la Comisión Europea. Es muy decepcionante para los ciudadanos británicos en España después de un largo año de ansiedad e incertidumbre sobre nuestro futuro.

MAY'S OFFER ON CITIZENS' RIGHTS: FROM CITIZENS TO IMMIGRANTS

The UK government has waited a year to offer EU nationals living in the UK a deal which effectively demotes their status from that of 'EU citizens' to that of 'settled immigrants'. At the same time it ignores the detailed EU Commission proposals for the virtually full maintenance of existing EU citizenship rights. As Donald Tusk has pointed out, the British proposals 'may damage the EU's efforts to protect UK citizens in the EU'. In other words, as any deal must be reciprocal, the UK government seems to be actively seeking the reduction of rights for its own citizens who currently live in the European Union.

The government's central offer is that EU citizens resident in Britain before a cut-off date (to be negotiated) will be able to apply for 'settled status', so they will not have to leave the country or apply for work permits. There will be a two-year transitional period of grace after Brexit to enable this to happen. However, even though EU nationals have already gone through the costly and arduous process to get 'Permanent Residence', they will have to repeat this all over again with a new application procedure, which the government promises will not to be as complex and rigorous. 

'Settled status' is not the same as citizenship. If May's proposal were to be applied to both those EU and UK nationals affected (and any agreement must be reciprocal), it would mean the loss of many rights and benefits. In terms of the latter, the government talks about 'seeking to protect' existing arrangements on benefits and healthcare coverage, but with no information as to how. Their only positive move is their promise to automatically uprate UK pensions in the EU and to allow the export of benefits from the UK to the EU, which might allow the continuation of aggregated pensions.

What would this mean for the rights of UK nationals in the EU? Firstly, we would lose the right to bring sick and elderly relations to live with us, or to take non-UK family members back to the UK. Secondly, after 2019 we would lose the right to 'home fees' and 'student support' that Britons resident in the EU are entitled to. Thirdly, if we are out of our country of residence for more than two years, we would automatically lose all our residency rights. Amongst other things this would endanger our ability to go and live in another EU country. There are some important citizenship rights that we would definitely lose such as the right to non-discrimination versus nationals and all of our political rights. The UK government 'seeks to protect' but does not guarantee other rights such as that to be self-employed or set up a business. After 2019 it also appears that the existing mutual recognition of qualifications will no longer continue. 

Finally, the UK government rejects any role of the European Court of Justice in implementing an agreement. This issue will certainly complicate the negotiations on citizens' rights, which the UK government does not propose to separate or 'ring-fence' from other negotiations on trade. Any breakdown in negotiations would thus mean a cliff-edge for citizens.

In conclusion, this is a mean-spirited offer, the minimum which the UK government could have offered and well below what the EU Commission has already proposed. 


Comments on the offer:

Corybn:“This isn’t a generous offer. This is confirmation the government is prepared to use people as bargaining chips."

​​Brake (LibDems): “Theresa May should be utterly ashamed this is the best they can come up with, a year on. It offers little in the way of reassurance to EU citizens who have made Britain their home and continues to use them as bargaining chips. These people play by the rules, pay taxes and make Britain what it is. Theresa May is treating these people like dirt and we should unilaterally guarantee these people’s right to stay."See quotes and other comments in Guardian article 


Another article quotes the 3Million on this: "Hatton said the offer fell far short of the proposal placed on the table by the EU a fortnight ago to protect the rights of Britons in the EU.

“We are bitterly disappointed. It does not feel like a finished document. It does not feel like the EU document, which is definitive and authoritative,” said Hatton.

'MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS' CONCERT A BIG SUCCESS

Photos: Lawrence Baron

The EuroCitizens concert, 'Música sin Fronteras', was held in Sala El Sol on Saturday 24 June to increase awareness of citizens' rights and the potential difficulties facing musicians after Brexit. A Saturday night in Madrid in June is full of competition, and last Saturday the big Download Festival was going on. Despite that, we got a large audience to see Rob Picazo, Alex Roddom and John Grvy. They were not disappointed.

All three artists got the crowd going with very different styles. 

Rob Picazo started off with fifty minutes of blues numbers which he composed himself. Rob's voice is remarkable: he sounds like an experienced and gritty bluesman of the Deep South, giving his songs great feeling and verve. Halfway through his set, his excellent rhythm session was changed for the drummer and bass player of the mythical rock group from the 'movida madrileña' Gabinete Caligari.

Next on was Alex Roddom and his band with a medley of his own numbers plus a barn-storming performance of Freefalling by Tom Petty. Alex has a spectacular voice and powerful songs that got the audience dancing and left us wanting more. You can listen to his latest album, The Other Side, on Spotify.

The concert ended in style with the versatile artist John Grvy. Alone on stage with his computer, this madrileño captivated the audience with his charismatic personality, fine voice and spectacular dancing. His high-octane peformance and punchy electronic music was a fitting finale to nearly three hours of great music.

EuroCitizens would like to thank all the artists who performed and the technicians of Sala El Sol for giving us such a great night of music and for helping us to make people aware of citizens' rights and the need for freedom of movement for musicians.

 Photos: Lawrence Baron

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 

23/06: EUROCITIZENS MEETING ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF BREXIT

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Brexit referendum and a year later we're still completely in the dark about our futures. So it's a good time to take stock of what has happened and to discuss our objectives for the crucial next few months.

It's also time for a last push before the summer break, as we won't be holding meetings in July and August. Some people have requested a change of time from the habitual Saturday morning meeting, so we've organised it for Friday 23 June at 7pm in the Centro Gallego C/ Carretas, 14 Metro Sol. It's in a different room this time (Aula 1). 
We have a lot to talk about. Firstly, we'll update members on the successful Spanish lobbying that we've been doing since February. We'll give you a report on our meeting with junior minister for Europe, Jorge Toledo. 
A lot has been happening too with the coalition British in Europe in which we are taking an active part. The focus is now on UK lobbying throughout the early rounds of negotiations which began on Monday. It's going to be important to keep pressure on the UK government who will be announcing their 'generous' offer on citizens' rights today. 
There also will be updates from the education and concert groups. The latter has done great work to produce an amazing lineup of artists for the concert on Saturday 24 June (Sala El Sol 22h). Now we just need people to fill the club. 
Please do everything you can to support the concert!

More information:  24/06: CONCERT IN MADRID - 'MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS'

Buy your tickets here: https://www.ticketea.com/entradas-concierto-musica-sin-fronteras-eurocitizens/ 

UN AÑO DESPUÉS DEL BREXIT, EUROCITIZENS ORGANIZA 'MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS' PARA REIVINDICAR LOS DERECHOS DE LOS CIUDADANOS

El sábado 24 de junio, tres músicos jóvenes y cosmopolitas (John Grvy, Rob Picazo y Alex Roddom) tocarán en la mítica Sala El Sol de Madrid en un concierto organizado por la asociación EuroCitizens. Además de ofrecer las actuaciones de tres intérpretes con enorme talento, el concierto reivindicará los derechos de los españoles en el Reino Unido y de los británicos en España afectados por el Brexit y llamará la atención sobre el impacto negativo de la salida de Gran Bretaña de la UE en el sector de la música.

Estamos en un momento clave para los derechos de la ciudadanía. El jueves 22 de junio la primera ministra, Theresa May, revelará su 'generosa' oferta para los ciudadanos europeos en el Reino Unido y, por la naturaleza recíproca de cualquier acuerdo, tambíen para los ciudadanos británicos en la UE. El viernes 23 es el aniversario del referendum del Brexit en el que la mayor parte de los europeos residentes en Gran Bretaña y de los británicos en la UE no pudieron votar. El sábado 24 hace un año de los resultados en los que ganó por la mínima la decisión de salir de la UE, algo que ha resultado en doce meses de gran ansiedad e incertidumbre para la ciudadanía.

En los siguientes meses se enfocarán las negociaciones que empezaron el lunes en la 'factura de divorcio' del Reino Unido, sobre la frontera en Irlanda y sobre los derechos de los ciudadanos. Las asociaciones como EuroCitizens, British in Europe y Españoles en el Reino Unido tendremos que aumentar aún más la presión sobre los políticos para asegurarnos de que el acuerdo alcanzado garantice todos los derechos actuales que disfrutamos y que esté blindado de las demás negociaciones.

Comenzamos una nueva campaña con este concierto.

Más información y entradas en:
https://www.ticketea.com/entradas-concierto-musica-sin-fronteras-eurocitizens/

COMIENZAN LAS NEGOCIACIONES DEL BREXIT: YA ES HORA DE QUE EL GOBIERNO BRITÁNICO ESCLAREZCA SU POSTURA SOBRE LOS DERECHOS DE LA CIUDADANÍA

Michel Barnier y David Davis  Foto: Ben Stansall AFP

Madrid, lunes 19 de junio

La coalición British in Europe y la asociación EuroCitizens desean al ministro David Davis todo lo mejor en las negociaciones con la UE que comienzan hoy. Le recordamos que él y el gobierno británico tienen el deber de representar los intereses de los 1,2 milliones de ciudadanos británicos que actualmente residen en la UE.  Llevamos un año esperando el comienzo de estas discusiones, sufriendo gran incertidumbre sobre nuestro futuro. Esperamos que el ministro cumpla con la promesa de Theresa May de garantizar que los derechos de la ciudadanía tenga la prioridad absoluta sobre cualquier otro asunto.

Mientras que el gobierno se ha ocupado de activar la Clausula 50 y convocar nuevas elecciones, nuestra coalición ha mantenido una serie de reuniones con el equipo negociador de la UE que ha consultado con nosotros antes de formular las directrices negociadoras y tomando en cuenta muchas de nuestras reivindicaciones.

Jane Golding, la coordinadora de British in Europe ha declarado hoy: 'como  resultado de estos contactos, la UE nos ofrece casi todo lo que pedimos y admite el principio básico de que los derechos de los ciudadanos, vigentes antes del Brexit, no cambien. Ademas la UE ha demostrado una admirable transparencia en este asunto. En contraste, durante los últimos doce meses, Theresa May se ha negado a lanzar una oferta unilateral a los tres milliones de ciudadanos de la UE en el Reino Unido. Dice que no lo ha hecho para proteger los derechos de los 1,2 millones de británicos en la UE, una postura que no entendemos. La oferta actual de la UE, de forma detallada, garantiza casi todos nuestros derechos. Ahora todo depende de cómo responde Gran Bretaña y esperamos que, conforme al principio de reciprocidad, sea capaz de hacerlo con la misma generosidad.'

Fiona Godfrey, portavoz de la coalición de British in Europe en Luxemburgo, añadió: 'No se puede utilizar como moneda de cambio ni los 1,2 millones de británicos ni los 3 milliones de europeos en el RU. Animamos al ministro Davis y al negociador Barnier a blindar el acuerdo sobre los derechos de la ciudadanía y separarlo de otros aspectos de las negociaciones. La falta de blindaje solo puede prolongar la incertidumbre de estos cinco millones de ciudadanos.'

https://www.facebook.com/EuroCitizensSpain/
https://twitter.com/EuroCitizens99
https://eurocitizens2020.blogspot.com.es/

TIME FOR THE UK TO MAKE CLEAR ITS POSITION ON CITIZENS' RIGHTS

24/06 -MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS: CONCIERTO CON JOHN GRVY, ROB PICAZO Y ALEX RODDOM

Concierto con John Grvy, Rob Picazo y Alex Roddom para EuroCitizens
Sala El Sol, Madrid

sábado 24 junio 22:00

EuroCitizens defiende los derechos de la ciudadanía europea de los españoles en el Reino Unido y los británicos en España y trabaja por una Europa abierta. Por esta razón, y por la amenaza que genera el Brexit a los músicos de ambos países, vamos a usar la música y la diversión para defender aquello en lo que creemos. Porque la música no conoce fronteras, porque la música nos une. "Soy de madre inglesa y padre español, pero tengo nacionalidad española.” comenta el músico Rob Picazo. “Al igual que otros músicos, la salida del Reino Unido de la Unión Europea podría limitar las oportunidades de desplazarme entre UK y el resto de Europa. Como sugiere el nombre del concierto, la música debería ser una fuerza de unión, que rompa barreras y no las edifique.”

Por ello, os presentamos MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS, un concierto que tendrá lugar el sábado 24 de junio en la Sala El Sol (Calle Jardines, 3, Madrid) a las 22:00. Si tú también compartes estos valores y quieres apoyarlos a la vez que disfrutas de una noche de fiesta y diversión, no dudes en venir. Te lo pasarás genial en compañía de tres músicos excepcionales:

John Grvy www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSpjWeXdOlc

Alex Roddom www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCLuOUCqCV4

Rob Picazo www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRnT6FXL3lQ

Puedes comprar tu entrada en: https://www.ticketea.com/entra das-concierto-musica-sin-front eras-eurocitizens/

Mas información

email: prensaeurocitizens@gmail.com

Tel: Mark Kitcatt, everlasting popstock, 609060782

Puedes seguir a EuroCitizens en Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Euro CitizensSpain/) y apoyar esta iniciativa en http://eepurl.com/dxGWwb

Vista previa del vídeo JOHN GRVY - Bad Decisions de YouTube

JOHN GRVY - Bad Decisions

Vista previa del vídeo Alex Roddom - You Know (Acoustic) de YouTube

Alex Roddom - You Know (Acoustic)

Vista previa del vídeo Rob Picazo Original composition "Mister Mister" de YouTube

Rob Picazo Original composition "Mister Mister"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSpjWeXdOlc&authuser=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCLuOUCqCV4&authuser=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRnT6FXL3lQ&authuser=2

BREXIT'S NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WILL WEAKEN THE UK'S SOFT POWER

Mark Kitcatt

Mark Kitcatt is CEO and part owner of independent music company Everlasting Popstock and has a long and successful track record in the music industry. Based in Madrid since the 1990s, Mark is concerned about the impact of Brexit on music and musicians, as well as its effect on the citizens' rights of UK nationals living in the EU like himself. A member of the association EuroCitizens, he is organising 'Música sin Fronteras'. This concert on Saturday 24 June, exactly a year after the results of the Brexit referendum, will be held in the mythical venue Sala El Sol with three talented and cosmopolitan young musicians: John Grvy, Alex Roddom and Rob Picazo.

EuroCitizens: How is Brexit going to affect the music industry?

MK: I came to Spain in the early nineties, before EU directives on free movement came into force. That changed the whole music business. Suddenly, bands could move around freely, play concerts anywhere in the EU and sell their merchandise with no problems. Since then, for UK bands, virtually all Europe has been an open market. It costs the same for a group to play in Milan as in Manchester, or in Alicante as in Aberdeen. The single market has thus given British music a huge competitive advantage.

EuroCitizens: So what will happen with a hard Brexit and the UK's departure from this single market?

MK: All these advantages will be lost overnight and we may go back to the bad old days of visas and work permits. This will dramatically hit touring which is now the main source of income for most

musicians, since the increase in piracy. Of course, the impact on young artists who are starting out will be even harder. The UK will also suffer as a destination for creators from Spain and the rest of Europe if barriers to free movement go up.

EuroCitizens: You are a member of independent music associations such as IMPALA, UFI and WIN. Have you had any reaction from the UK government about your concerns?

MK: Frankly, they just don't seem to know what is going to happen and we have received no clear answers. As with their dealings with citizens' groups like EuroCitizens and British in Europe, all our contacts with them have been cloaked in secrecy. Things are not looking good.

EuroCitizens: As a UK national living in the EU, are you worried about your own future?

MK: I'm married to a Spaniard and my children have Spanish nationality, so I'm not worried about my personal future in this country. I always have the option of applying for Spanish nationality. However, since Brexit my eldest son has decided not to study at a UK university due to the uncertainty that has arisen. I also know several young Britons in Spain who have not lived here very long and who may have to go back to the UK after Great Britain leaves the EU.

EuroCitizens: Do you think Brexit will have any other impact?

MK: Yes, it will dramatically reduce the UK's 'soft power', the influence it gains through pop music as well as through films and TV. English is the lingua franca of music and this enables Britain to have an enormous cultural impact in Europe. On top of that, the essence of modern music is of reaching across cultures and the mixing of different cultures. It is universal, is the antithesis of putting up barriers, walls and borders. Unfortunately, that is what the UK and the USA seem to be trying to do at the moment, to retreat from the world.
 
That's why we decided to call our concert on 24 June 'Música sin Fronteras'!

LAS ELECCIONES EN EL REINO UNIDO: EL RECHAZO DEL BREXIT DURO DA ESPERANZAS PARA LOS DERECHOS DE LA CIUDADANÍA

Theresa May vota el 8 de junio

      Después de convocar unas elecciones nacionales para reforzar su postura de un Brexit duro, con el planteamiento de que 'ningún acuerdo' es mejor que un 'mal acuerdo', Theresa May ha sufrido una gran derrota, después de una campaña desastrosa afectada por otros temas como la seguridad y la austeridad. La primera ministra esperaba sacar una gran mayoría de más de cien diputados, pero parece seguro que el Partido Conservador quedará sin mayoría absoluta, con la necesidad de pactar con los unionistas de Irlanda del Norte para gobernar.
     ¿Qué significa esto para los 4,5 millones de europeos en el Reino Unido y británicos en la UE? La Comisión Europea ya ha publicado con bastante detalle su plan para garantizar los derechos de los ciudadanos afectados por el Brexit de forma vitalicia. Sin embargo, el gobierno de Theresa May, después de asumir los postulados anti-inmigrantes del partido xenófobo UKIP, ha mantenido una estudiada ambiguedad sobre este tema, algo que ha comprobado EuroCitizens y la coalición British in Europe en sus reuniones con funcionarios y un cargo político del ministerio para la salida de la UE.
     De ahora en adelante, EuroCitizens espera que haya un Brexit menos dogmático y una postura menos agresiva del Reino Unido hacía los 27 en las negociaciones que comienzan el 19 de junio sobre el futuro de la ciudadanía. Con la clara postura de la UE, la pelota está en el tejado del nuevo primer ministro británico (que probablemente no será Theresa May). EuroCitizens y British in Europe enviaremos un mensaje claro en nuestro próximo encuentro con el gobierno del Reino Unido: queremos mantener todos nuestros derechos de ciudadanía europea de forma vitalicia y con un acuerdo blindado y separado del resto de las negociaciones. 

24/06: CONCERT IN MADRID - 'MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS'

For the freedom of movement of musicians and citizens' rights for Spaniards and Britons affected by Brexit.


Did you know that Brexit will have an extremely negative impact on British and Spanish musicians? After the UK's departure from the EU, organising concerts between the two countries will probably become extremely complicated, due to the end of free movement of people. Above all, this will affect young artists. Brexit also endangers the rights of nearly a half a million UK and Spanish nationals who live in the respective countries.

On Saturday 24 June (Sala Sol, Madrid 22h) EuroCitizens is organising a concert to demand no restrictions on the movement of musicians and to reject any reduction in citizenship rights.  Three young and cosmopolitan artists will be performing: John Grvy (chillwave, electronic, indie), resident in Madrid but with roots in Nigeria; Alex Roddom (rockmetal, folk, country), a Briton who has lived in Spain all his life; Rob Picazo (blues/soul), a Spaniard who lives in the UK.

All three artists are enormously talented and it promises to be a fantastic gig! Don't miss it!

Buy your ticket on 'ticketea' for only 6 euros