Gavin Newlands MP criticises UK Government for failing to provide ‘cast iron guarantee’ to EU nation
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has criticised that the UK Government for failing to provide a ‘cast iron’ guarantee protected residency status for EU nationals living in the UK.
The motion put forward by the SNP calling on the UK government to ensure “that all nationals from other countries in the EU who have made the UK their home retain their current rights” was voted down by MPs by 293 votes to 250.
Mr Newlands who spoke during the debate criticised the UK Government for describing EU nationals as ‘bargaining chips’ and praised the contribution that those born elsewhere in the EU make towards our communities.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The Opposition day debate on the rights of EU nationals was an opportunity to highlight the pertinent challenges and questions that many EU nationals across the UK are facing following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.
“Since the referendum, our EU nationals have been described as ‘bargaining chips’ and have been offered no assurances that their residency status will be protected once we leave the EU.
“In the immediate aftermath of the referendum, I wrote to all EU nationals to assure them that Renfrewshire remains their home and that we value the contribution that they’ve made to our community. The SNP will continue to champion the rights of EU nationals and ensure that rather than being treated as bargaining chips, they will be treated as fellow human beings who have contributed to their communities.”
