Why I support the Prime Minister’s call for an open discussion on the EU - Yorkshire Post Letters

I’m writing in support of the Prime Minister’s call for an open discussion about the possible restoration of freedom of movement with the EEA countries, the EU plus Norway and Iceland and presumably Switzerland. Citizens of the UK and the Republic of Ireland already enjoy reciprocal freedom of movement.

I was disappointed that the Labour Party offered tacit support to the casual and callous way in which the Tories ended European freedom of movement and I haven’t voted for them since.

A commitment at least to examine new arrangements will benefit Labour as the party likely regains support from progressive, internationalist left of centre voters like me and even more so in Scotland and Wales.

Freedom of movement is reciprocal. This means that UK citizens could enjoy the same rights to travel, work, study and live in thirty or so countries as we had prior to 2021. The initiative offers life-enhancing linguistic, social, cultural, sporting and even romantic opportunities as well as providing employment opportunities and economic benefits.

The UK would benefit from intelligent, well-educated young Europeans working here. People who would build connections which could benefit this country economically in the future.

Those who are enthusiastic to welcome European workers realise that the worker must do just that and work. Any new EU worker shouldn’t be able to claim any UK state benefits whatsoever except emergency health care for a defined period and this should extend to their family.

The rules state that a participating country can order EU citizens who are not working and unable to support themselves to return to their homeland after an agreed job-hunting period. This always was the case, but the UK itself was lax in enforcing the rules.

It’s the connections built between people that make me a staunch supporter of the UK rejoining the EU. The European Movement has launched a programme aiming for full membership to be restored by 2036. The Prime Minister has listened to me as I have long been calling for a formal national discussion about the UK’s future role in Europe.

It seems to be the season for rejoining. Maybe the UK rejoining the EU passes by way of the writer and others rejoining the Labour Party?