Relief will take on a new meaning for all the EU citizens living in Britain right now: the government has adopted an amendment on Wednesday to protect the rights of the EU citizens in Britain after Brexit. This amendment is said to be around even if there’s a no-deal agreement between Britain and the EU.
Yes, we still don’t know what the hell is happening with the Brexit deal, and we’re already in the month of March! For the longest time, it has been super unclear what the EU citizens in Britain and the British citizens in the EU member states should be prepared for. We know that the Brits can stay in the Netherlands even after a no-deal Brexit, but now there is some clarity about what’s happening on the other side. The 29th is fast approaching, and everyone is at the edge of their seats.
However, this amendment should give you some relief because it shows progress in a positive direction for you. This amendment has been passed within the House of Commons in the UK, but the European Council has to still agree to it. It calls on Prime Minister Theresa May, to write to Donald (hold your breath) Tusk, the European Council’s president, to guarantee the rights of the UK and EU nationals.
Pin drop silence when the @HoCSpeaker asks MPs whether they object the #CostaAmendment on #citizensrights. Amendment passed without objection and no need of division. pic.twitter.com/MMZgbgiau4
— the3million (@the3million) February 27, 2019
Who should you be joining hands with?
The 3 Million movement is a lobby group in the UK that has been working hard to make sure these rights are secured for all the EU nationals living in the UK. On hearing of the passing of this amendment, they have written to Prime Minister Rutte urging him to agree to it. They have even sent letters to President Emmanuel Macron, and Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The #CostaAmendment passed, your relentless help was invaluable! We need you to write to the European Council now to keep it going.https://t.co/XcF352CYg5
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— the3million (@the3million) February 28, 2019
See that man holding the banner in the tweet? That’s who you should be thanking! Dubbed as the Costa Amendment, and with good reason. He has been largely responsible for getting this amendment passed in the British House of Commons, but ended up losing his job as the parliamentary secretary to Scotland’s David Mundell. He is now seeking to meet with Donald Tusk to make his case for all the EU citizens in Britain and British citizens living in the EU member states.
How relieved are you to hear of this? If you want to write to Donald Tusk yourself, you can do this here! Let’s participate to make sure our rights are protected because we need to band together. Let us know in the comments if you did!