Theresa May’s Brexit plans have prioritised immigration over everything else, including leaving the single European market as a price worth paying to end freedom of movement. A report by the thinktank, Global Future, has crunched the numbers on the likely impact on immigration once Britain leaves the EU, only to discover that the reduction may amount to no more than 15% out of a total of 335,000 immigrants entering Britain per year.
This is because professionals with certain skills will still be needed in Britain, and hence will be exempt. So if immigration was the main driver for the many voting for Brexit, they are in for a big disappointment.
The muddle, the contradictions and the sheer blinkered vision continue to colour the decisions of this government. If Britain is going to need people coming from the EU post Brexit, then it follows that those already here are certainly needed. So why has this government refused to make a commitment to all Europeans who are already here that their contributions to Britain are valued, and they can remain in the UK indefinitely?
Instead, they have been asked to complete an 85 page form, and are required to provide P60s for five years, utility bills and more, making them feel unwelcome and unwanted. This kind of treatment may influence the response of the rest of Europe towards British nationals living in their respective countries.
We have now ended up creating worry, uncertainty and anxiety for our fellow Europeans and…