By David Furness
It’s important to understand that the 2016 referendum, which led to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, did not result in an immediate and complete separation. Instead, a significant and carefully negotiated Withdrawal Agreement was reached between the EU and the UK, outlining the orderly process for the UK’s departure from the EU.
The EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement came into force on 1st February 2020.
A transition period lasted until 31st December 2020, during which EU law continued to apply to the UK. The European Court of Justice also maintained jurisdiction over the United Kingdom during this time. We were required to uphold all of the EU’s international agreements. We could only establish new international arrangements if explicitly authorized by the EU.
Additionally, the UK had to protect the rights of over three million EU citizens living here.
Residence rights
The residence conditions remained consistent with current EU law on free movement. Articles 16 to 18 granted permanent residence rights to individuals who had legally resided in the UK for five years.
According to the Withdrawal Agreement, EU citizens were granted free movement for themselves and their families, the right to work, and the right to establish a business.
All these concessions raise the question: Why did the British government agree to grant all these rights to EU citizens?
The European Commission has taken a serious step by bringing the United Kingdom to the Court of Justice of the European Union for allegedly not adhering to EU law, which provides substantial rights to EU citizens. This legal action carries significant implications for both the UK and the EU.
The Commission’s belief that the EU should do more for its citizens has led to a decision that the UK must face legal action in the Court of Justice of the European Union. This decision underscores the EU’s high expectations of the UK in terms of upholding the rights of EU citizens.
The British public voted to leave the EU in 2016, but we did not secure favourable terms for our departure.
Illegal migration
Many politicians in the EU and UK seem unaware that the Withdrawal Agreement had an agreement to tackle illegal migration:
“The parties will cooperate to tackle illegal migration, including its drivers and its consequences.”
“This cooperation will cover working with the European Body and Coastguard Agency to strengthen the Union’s eternal border.”
France has not taken adequate action to address the illegal migrants departing from French shores in boats and arriving on British beaches. Therefore, the European Commission should take France to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
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