Labour forces Commons vote on allowing EU citizens to remain in UK

Tomorrow will see MPs vote to clarify whether EU nationals’ right to stay in the UK will be protected during Brexit negotiations, after Labour moved today to end the uncertainty on the topic.

There has been growing concern that candidates for the Tory Party leadership, including frontrunner and Home Secretary Theresa May, have been evasive on the issue.

Labour decided to push forward with a vote on the topic at this morning’s Shadow Cabinet meeting, which they hope will force the Government to protect the rights of EU citizens to stay in the UK. The move is expected to win cross-party support from the SNP, Lib Dems and Green Party.

This comes after a Tory leadership hustings last night in which May said that she would use EU nationals staying rights as part of negotiations, arguing that “nobody necessarily stays anywhere forever”. She would only say that she “hopes” a deal can be struck that would allow EU migrants to stay in the country.

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham said that May had introduced uncertainty over the issue and was treating people “as bargaining chips”. He said she must put her leadership bid “on hold” to address the House of Commons on the subject, and listen to “the millions of people worried about the future”.

“It is simply not good enough for the Home Secretary to say that she ‘hopes’ EU nationals will be allowed to stay,” Burnham said today.

“These are people who have put down roots here, with children, families, caring responsibilities, who pay taxes and contribute to our economy and society. They deserve much better than being used by the Government as bargaining chips.

“Having opened up question, it is essential that the Home Secretary puts her leadership campaign on hold and comes to the House. It was clear from yesterday’s debate that she does not have the support of Tory MPs on this matter. She should listen to them, to the millions of people worried about the future and remove the uncertainty now.”