As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, the British government have been issuing advice on what is set to happen. Like or not, diehard Remoaners need to start accepting reality.
The government have confirmed that from 30th March, new passports printed won’t include the words “European Union” on the front cover. This is a hugely symbolic move, with Nigel Farage having highlighted the issue of the UK passport effectively becoming an EU passport during the Brexit referendum. Taking back control of borders means ending this.
As Nigel said on the eve of the Brexit referendum in 2016: “We don’t even have a British passport anymore. We’ve got a European Union one, which of course is available for up to 508 million people.”
Burgundy passports, minus the ‘European Union’, will still be issued until blue passports are released in 2019.
As the government explain: “Passports printed between 30 March 2019 up until the introduction of the new passport design will be burgundy but will not include the words ‘European Union’ on the front cover. This includes passports issued by the Crown Dependencies and Gibraltar.
“Blue passports will start being issued from late 2019.
“If you renew your passport between late 2019 and early 2020, you’ll be automatically issued with either a blue or burgundy British passport.”
They have also release information on travelling to the EU on a British passport if there’s a No Deal Brexit: “If you plan to travel to the Schengen area after 29 March 2019, we suggest that you check the issue date and make sure your passport is no older than 9 years and 6 months on the day of travel.
“For example, if you’re planning to travel to the Schengen area on 30 March 2019, your passport should have an issue date on or after 1 October 2009.”
The British people voted to take back control and it is finally happening. The government must deliver Brexit, deal or No Deal.
