EU nationals BACK Brexit: 19,000 rush to become British citizens and stay in UK

More than 19,000 applications have been made in the
first six months of this year alone.
The figure is already significantly higher than the total
number received last year.
Richard Tice, co-chairman of campaign group Leave
Means Leave, said: “This is evidence that EU citizens
think that Britain will be better off because of Brexit
and want to be a part of this exciting opportunity.
“The huge economic benefits Brexit can bring is
clearly enticing people from the EU to secure British
citizenship.”
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But
critics
suggested that the applications were being driven by
the fears of European Union nationals for their post-
Brexit future.
Last week Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the
three million EU citizens living in the UK that they
would retain all their rights after Brexit – whatever
happens in the negotiations with Brussels.
But his comments risked opening up a fresh split with
Prime Minister Theresa May, who has said she will
make that guarantee when she has a similar one on
the rights of British expats.
Brexit Secretary David Davis is due to update the
cabinet on the negotiations on Tuesday, including what
has been billed as an “upbeat” assessment of the no
deal option.
Boris Johnson told the EU citizens living in the UK that
they would retain all their rights
Despite differences within the Cabinet, Government
sources said that they were more united than their EU
counterparts.
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A row has broken out between the EU’s chief
negotiator Michel Barnier and another key official
Martin Selmayr, who both report to the European
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Meanwhile Mr Junker publicly disagreed with European
Council President Donald Tusk earlier this month over
claims of “deadlocked” talks.
A source said that UK ministers may have their
disagreements “but at least we don’t have them when
standing on the same podium”.
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Austria: The hard-Right Freedom Party (FPO) has
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[AFP/Getty Images]
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Mrs May secured a significant victory recently when
she persuaded EU countries to begin preparations for
post-Brexit trade talks with the UK.
Days later she urged EU leaders to publicly guarantee
the rights of British expats after Brexit.
In total 19,260 EU nationals applied for Brutish
citizenship in the first six months of this year, the
Home Office figures show.
In the 12 months before the July 2016 vote to leave
the EU, 15,871 EU citizens applied.
Theresa May persuaded EU countries to begin
preparations for post-Brexit trade talks
In the 12 months after that number was 28,502. The
latest figures were provided by the Home Office
minister Baroness Williams of Trafford in answer to a
question from a fellow peer.
Statistics have also shown that tens of thousands of
British citizens have applied for passports from EU
countries such as Ireland.
It was recently confirmed that Oscar-winning actor
Colin Firth has successfully applied for Italian
citizenship.
Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “These
figures show just how many EU citizens have
integrated and want to make Britain their home.
Vince Cable called on Mrs May to act
“But instead of valuing their contribution, this
government is still using them as bargaining chips.
“The Government should give EU nationals here the
right to stay.
“We also need to ensure the Home Office has the
resources to process all these applications and not
leave families in limbo.”
Last night Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable called on
Mrs May to act after it emerged that the UK could be
forced to wait 35 years to retrieve its investments
from the EU’s official bank.
The head of the European Investment Bank Alexander
Stubb has said it could take until 2054 for the UK to
recover £3billion in payments.

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