Welcome to "Negotiating capital"

[OwlHoot]

Yes, why would we agree to let them all stay unless Spain promises to keep all of the OAPs we've sent them British villains who've sent themselves over the years

FTFY

[GB9]

The EU has not "refused to discuss" anything. It has pointed out that, according to the treaties to which the UK is signatory, such discussions cannot begin until the British government invokes Article 50. Why anybody thinks the rulebook should be torn up simply to make life easier for an unelected Prime Minister seeking to enact a policy that was never stated before the referendum, I don't know.

Perhaps May should add "and a pony" to her list of demands, as she's more likely to get that than to get the EU to discard its principles and international treaties just to make her happy.

Then why is it such an issue for you lot that the UK won't guarantee something now in accordance with EU rules? Bit of a non story really.

[AtW]

Then why is it such an issue for you lot that the UK won't guarantee something now in accordance with EU rules? Bit of a non story really.

UK can guarantee easily on its own sovereign territory that any EU citizen who was here for X years before referendum to be entitled to UK permanent residence if they wish so.

What UK can't do is start negotiations with other EU nations about similar guarantees, that can only happen after Article 50 - a gesture of good will would have gone a long way to have smooth negotiations.

[vetran]

Then why is it such an issue for you lot that the UK won't guarantee something now in accordance with EU rules? Bit of a non story really.

Haven't you got it yet?

“Four legs good, two legs bad.”

EU Good, UK Bad.

[NickFitz]

Then why is it such an issue for you lot that the UK won't guarantee something now in accordance with EU rules? Bit of a non story really.

Nobody has asked the UK to guarantee anything, as such a guarantee would be meaningless insofar as it related to matters that cannot be subject to negotiations until after Article 50.

The government won't be at a disadvantage because of any guarantees it does or doesn't offer. It will be at a disadvantage because the UK has nothing of any real value to offer the EU as it leaves, and therefore cannot ever hope to achieve anything that might be seen as a successful Brexit even by the most cluelessly optimistic. They're just trying to divert attention away from this very obvious fact, and hoping somewhere down the line to create a general feeling that the inevitable failure is the fault of the EU and not HMG, by making statements that are essentially content-free but which they hope will muddy the waters a little.

[vetran]

UK can guarantee easily on its own sovereign territory that any EU citizen who was here for X years before referendum to be entitled to UK permanent residence if they wish so.

What UK can't do is start negotiations with other EU nations about similar guarantees, that can only happen after Article 50 - a gesture of good will would have gone a long way to have smooth negotiations.

And when the UK does the EU will rub its hands and decide they can extract a concession for doing the same when they finally agree to come to the table.

The EU is fighting for its existence, wait till France & Italy vote. Lets hope its all unraveling back to a trading bloc.

[AtW]

And when the UK does the EU will rub its hands and decide they can extract a concession for doing the same when they finally agree to come to the table.

EU will be forced to reciprocate.

That would have been great negotiating tactic to deal with it first, but after Article 50 (since before EU can't discuss it), once you get EU to say Yes once, then it would have been much easier to deal with other items on agenda.

May & Co are muppets who will run this country off the cliff.

[vetran]

Nobody has asked the UK to guarantee anything, as such a guarantee would be meaningless insofar as it related to matters that cannot be subject to negotiations until after Article 50.

The government won't be at a disadvantage because of any guarantees it does or doesn't offer. It will be at a disadvantage because the UK has nothing of any real value to offer the EU as it leaves, and therefore cannot ever hope to achieve anything that might be seen as a successful Brexit even by the most cluelessly optimistic. They're just trying to divert attention away from this very obvious fact, and hoping somewhere down the line to create a general feeling that the inevitable failure is the fault of the EU and not HMG, by making statements that are essentially content-free but which they hope will muddy the waters a little.

Actually somebody has and the Government has replied it is unable to do so as we are unable to negotiate yet. This has been seized as evidence of the UK holding EU citizens hostage.

I can't see the success of negotiations being down to an Organisation that refuses to let us go YMMV.

[AtW]

Actually somebody has and the Government has replied it is unable to do so as we are unable to negotiate yet. This has been seized as evidence of the UK holding EU citizens hostage.

UK is indeed holding EU citizens hostage - look at Home Office refusals remanding EU citizens LEAVE UK now before they get UK permanent residence, that's bulltulip.

UK will most certainly be forced to run amnesty to illegals here, might as well guarantee permanent residence to any EU citizen who was resident here before referendum for say 12 months - a copy of EU passport + utility bill should be enough for ILR stamped in local police office.

[shaunbhoy]

if we agree to give them a right to remain unilaterally we might end up with Scooter, Darmy & Assguru deported to the UK

Surely there would be Human Rights Legislation to protect us against such an eventuality?