‘This seems to be a breakthrough – but the UK might change its mind’
Lisa Leysen, digital marketer, 27. Belgian, in the UK for two years
Today seems to be a breakthrough, but the UK might change its mind again on what has been discussed, especially if the EU does something that would impact the UK in a bad way, and the same goes for the EU. Nothing seems certain yet.
I’ve been concerned since the day Brexit was on the agenda and I think I will be until we know in detail what the rights of EU citizens will be for sure. We need to know exactly what will happen and when. The Tory party is very divided and that has slowed the negotiations down: our rights don’t seem to have been discussed because the party doesn’t know what it wants, which also means they haven’t been working towards whatever that may be.
EU citizens
- EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the rest of the EU have the right to stay. Rights of their children and those of partners in existing “durable relationships” are also guaranteed.
- UK courts will preside over enforcing rights over EU citizens in Britain but can refer unclear cases to the European court of justice for eight years after withdrawal.
Irish border
- The agreement promises to ensure there will be no hard border and to uphold the Belfast agreement.
- It makes clear the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland, will be leaving the customs union.
- It leaves unclear how an open border will be achieved but says in the absence of a later agreement, the UK will ensure “full alignment” with the rules of the customs union and single market that uphold the Good Friday agreement.
- However, the concession secured by the DUP is that no new regulatory barriers will be allowed between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK without the permission of Stormont in the interest of upholding the Good Friday agreement.
Money
- There is no figure on how much the UK is expected to pay but the document sets out how the bill will be calculated – expected to be between £35bn and £39bn.
- The UK agrees to continue to pay into the EU budget as normal in 2019 and 2020.
- It also agrees to pay its liabilities such as pension contributions.
Other issues
- The two sides agreed there would be need for cooperation on nuclear regulation and police and security issues.
- There was an agreement to ensure continued availability of products on the market before withdrawal and to minimise disruption for businesses and consumers.
The fact that David Davis laughed after saying there were no impact studies isn’t very promising: I have no faith in the British government at the moment. I do know the EU – especially with politicians like Guy Verhofstadt – is going to do its very best for us, so that is comforting. But everyone is united against Britain, with the UK having no say in the negotiations, so it’s already clear who will win this. Brace for impact.
‘We now need to start making preparations to leave the country’
Ekaterina Griffin, university course coordinator, 40, London. German, in the UK for 15 years
I’m devastated. If it hadn’t been for my British husband and kids, I would have left a while ago. I felt I owed it to them to wait and see, but not any more.
My three red lines have been:
- The ECJ guaranteeing our rights. This will happen for eight years only, so I will lose any protection just as I get older and starting afresh in Germany is next to impossible. Also, the document states clearly that the UK Parliament has the right to change the law so any guarantees made now can be reversed.
- Keeping the settled status for life rather than losing it after a period of non-residence. Having come here as a free citizen I find the idea of losing my right of free movement totally unacceptable.
- My mum being able to join us when she is older. I am an only child and need to be able to look after her should she need and want it. The current proposal is vague as the terms of her coming here are not specified. Will she be eligible for free healthcare? How is “dependent” defined?
We now need to start making preparations to leave the country, which hurts me immensely. I am distraught to find after 15 years that my whole life here was built on sand. I am hurt by the lack of solidarity from a lot of British people. Essentially, after 18 heartbreaking months, I want our lives back.
‘We have been living in limbo for more than 500 days since the referendum’
Monika Armet, 31, student and homemaker, Orkney Islands. Polish, in the UK for nine years
I have mixed feelings with regards to today’s news for a few reasons. Firstly, why did it take the UK government so long to reach this decision? EU nationals in the UK and UK residents in the EU have been living in limbo for more than 500 days since the referendum. I am deeply ashamed of the government’s use of us human beings as “bargaining chips” in their negotiations. If my rights are secure, I presume I will still have to apply for a piece of paper confirming my residency in the UK. What if the Home Office makes a mistake? Theresa May promises a simple and accessible-to-all application process – can this be trusted?
I’m hoping there will be more clarification on these issues. I am from Poland, my husband is Scottish; we have two children with British passports and I do worry that thanks to a glitch in the system, I may be told to leave.
‘The people always bear the consequences’
Carmine, support worker, 51, Derbyshire. Italian, in the UK for seven years
I am concerned about my livelihood and for that of my British partner. I have already acquired my permanent residency card, with a lot of sacrifice and expenses, but see no clarity as to what this latest agreement might mean going forward.
In theory we should be treated as we were, with no further problems, and I believe that in the end politics always sorts itself out, but with the way the nation voted it is as if people want to be stricken of their acquired EU rights and freedoms; the people always bear the consequences. Why would they want to do that for nothing? I hope Brexit is stopped.
‘How will a country no longer in the EU protect my EU rights?’
Analise, 26. Maltese, in the UK for eight months
With every passing day that goes by I feel that the EU and the UK are further away from a final agreement, and the lack of certainty does worry me. I’m not saying it keeps me up at night but it does make me fear that maybe a future in this country isn’t as secure as I think it is, especially since I moved here after the referendum.
Sure, the deal today says that my rights as an EU citizen will be protected, but somehow I can’t believe that: how will a country no longer in the EU protect the rights I have as an EU citizen?
In an ideal world Brexit wouldn’t happen, but the world is far from ideal. I fear that the negotiations and agreements reached won’t be upheld. I fear that a future in this country won’t be as bright as I thought it would’ve been in the past. I fear that if I had to build a life and a family here, my children’s opportunities would be limited. I fear that the negotiations will mean a tough time for the UK, resulting in a future we’re as yet clueless about.
