MPs to vote on expat rights
MPs are shortly to vote on amendments to the Brexit Bill which would guarantee EU citizens in the UK the right to stay before article 50 may be triggered.
If the amendments are accepted, this could also be good news for Britons in other EU countries, who may hope that the EU will reciprocate.
Prime Minister Theresa May has already said she wishes to resolve the matter of expats on both sides as soon as possible once Brexit negotiations begin but has so far made no unilateral promises.
The government has also given no guarantees on other matters within its control such as ensuring that annual increases in old age pensions continue for Britons in the EU.
Debate today has also looked at matters including whether MPs will have a final vote on the proposed deal at the end of the article 50 negotiations in around two years’ time.
The government has confirmed that the deal will be presented to parliament before it is concluded and they expect this to be before it is then debated by the European Parliament.
However, Mrs May has said the government is only offering a ‘take it or leave it’ vote. If parliament votes against the deal, the likely outcome would therefore be the UK ‘falling back’ on World Trade Organisation rules instead, involving high tariffs on some goods – with serious uncertainty also with regard to the future of expats on both sides.
Once votes are over on amendments today, a final vote by MPs on the Brexit Bill giving Mrs May power to trigger article 50 is expected around 21.00 tonight, French time.
The bill is then to be debated in the House of Lords, on February 20-21 and then on February 27 – March 1. If the Lords make amendments, the bill will pass back to MPs.
The earliest that both houses may come to agreement is March 7.
