The EU To Weaponise Victor Meldrew

Just how many Brits are there living in the EU?

Taking Spain as an example, the ONS reports that the population of British citizens resident in Spain was 296,600 in 2016. Within this figure 121,000 (40%) British residents in Spain were aged 65 and over in 2016; this number has more than doubled since 2006.

Whereas there were 116,000 Spanish citizens resident in the UK in 2013 to 2015.

This means, as the ONS helpfully points out, that there are over twice as many Brits living in Spain as there are Spanish people in the UK.

At this point I would remind Theresa May and David Davis that if we don't sort out the rights of EU citizens in the UK to everyone's satisfaction, we will be inundated with hundreds of thousands of "Victor Meldrews" returning to these shores, without accommodation, in declining health and in a very grumpy frame of mind!

The EU's Judicial Imperialism

Imposing ECJ on post-#Brexit residency deal 'looks a lot like judicial imperialism' by ex-EU judge @FrDe2059 ICYMIhttps://t.co/WfLdUaOkjo

— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels) June 27, 2017

Plan For EU Nationals' Rights In The UK

Theresa May will this afternoon set out plans to give “settled status” to EU citizens living in the UK post-Brexit.

The Prime Minister will publish a 15-page document which will outline how the Government will protect the future rights of the 3.2 million EU nationals who live in Britain.

Sacré Bleu! - "He's Very French"

"He's very French" @DavidDavisMP on his EU counterpart, @MichelBarnierhttps://t.co/yy4Mq6uT9V #Marr pic.twitter.com/38ftBTxcs2

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 25, 2017

Happy Brexit Anniversary?

On the first anniversary of the Brexit vote, EU leaders have described the UK’s opening offer to protect EU citizens’ rights as vague and inadequate, suggesting the British government needs to go further.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, struck a dismissive note as he arrived at an EU leaders’ summit on Friday. As per the Guardian:

“That is a first step but this step is not sufficient.”

Asked whether he was any clearer about the kind of Brexit the UK wants, he was equally blunt:

“No.”

It's going to be a very long few years!

Theresa May In The Belly of The Beast

Theresa May flies to Brussels today, where she will hold talks on Brexit with EU leaders for the first time since losing her majority at the general election.

It is expected that she will set out her plans to give EU citizens in the UK the same rights as Brits.

Hammond Speaks

.."collective sigh of relief will be audible.…in manufacturing, the car industry, fin services, and pharma" with prosperity first BRexit pic.twitter.com/CIblP5YIBK

— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) June 20, 2017

Brexit Negotiations Start Today

The long journey towards Brexit officially begins today, when David Davies commences Brexit negotiations in Brussels this morning.

Britain will leave the EU by the end of March 2019.

Kicking Off On Monday

#Brexit negotiations with the UK to begin tomorrow focussing on citizens' rights + financial settlement + new border https://t.co/2sCNL1rkEY pic.twitter.com/yhXZ7Eueis

— EC in UK (@EUlondonrep) June 18, 2017

Brexit Talks Start 19th June

The UK has finally confirmed that Brexit talks will begin on Monday 19th June.

However, but unsurprisingly, the UK has not forwarded any papers to Brussels outlining its opening position.

EU Nationals' Rights To Be Guaranteed

The UK will tell Brussels next week that it will guarantee EU nationals living in Britain the rights they currently have, and aim to treat them “as fairly as they have been to this point”.

Whilst Britain wants the cut-off point for citizens’ rights to be March 29 this year, when the UK notified its intention to leave the EU, it is expected to accede to EU demands that the date should be Brexit day itself in 2019.

This is the state of play according to the FT and, assuming the UK doesn't have a change of government before next week, is likely to be the starting point for the long process of Brexit negotiations.

"Clean Brexit" Added To The Lexicon

Steve Baker Appointed Brexit Minister | Calls For Clean Exit With Control of Laws, Money, Borders and Trade https://t.co/R4CD9nJFEH pic.twitter.com/JylKTzOy7o

— Euro Guido (@EuroGuido) June 13, 2017

Clean, soft, hard such a choice!

It's almost as though no one knows what they want or how to achieve it!

Barnier Trolls The UK

Michel Barnier, the EU's Brexit negotiator, has trolled the UK by reminding everyone that:

"I can't negotiate with myself"

Fear not Mr Barnier, the UK will probably ask you stand in for it whilst it gets its act together!

Delay To Brexit Negotiations? Quelle Surprise!

#UK #BREXIT MINISTER DAVIS SAYS BREXIT TALKS WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK BUT MAY NOT BE ON MONDAY 19 JUNE - RTRS

— Christophe Barraud (@C_Barraud) June 12, 2017

Tusk Nails It - Can't See The Beginning, But Can See The End!

We don't know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end. Do your best to avoid a "no deal" as result of "no negotiations". #GE2017

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) June 9, 2017

Weak and Unstable Government Batting For Britain

In case anyone has forgotten, Brexit negotiations are scheduled to begin on the 19th of June.

Britain will be on the back foot thanks to the weak and unstable government bestowed to the country by Theresa May!

S&P Nails It!

Credit rating agency underwhelmed by #ge2017 https://t.co/0BfaFIkljn

— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) June 5, 2017