Why do Brits in the EU fear being used as bargaining chips?
Campaigners say they feel ‘massively downgraded’ as Brexit looms

British citizens in the EU have asked that they are not used as “a bargaining chip for the second time” in forthcoming Brexit trade talks.
In a letter to the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, two campaign groups have said they worry they are being “massively downgraded” and that they fear they will be used by Brussels as leverage.
“Our remaining rights should not be deferred once again,” said the joint letter, signed by Jane Golding, the co-chair of British in Europe and Nicolas Hatton, the co-founder of the3million.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“They should not be bargained against, made dependent on or packaged within other negotiation issues. We must not be made bargaining chips a second time.”
Their anxiety has been heightened because the issue of their continued right to move and work across Europe was not resolved in the withdrawal agreement, which will be formally ratified this week.
Instead, that important can was kicked into the second phase of negotiations because the UK wanted to end uncontrolled migration to Britain.
British citizens in the EU feel vulnerable in those negotiations because free-movement talks have no consequence for EU citizens already in the UK as they have the birthright, as citizens of a member state, to continue to live or work wherever they like in the EU.
However, British nationals in the EU, as citizens of a third country after Brexit has gone through this Friday, will not enjoy that right.
Many argue that they moved to another member state in good faith under the rules of the EU and those who moved to the continent before the end of the transition period should retain those rights.
Some pro-Brexit British nationals living in Spain have previously told Channel 4 News they now regret voting Leave as they face such an uncertain future in the EU after Brexit.
“I know it might be selfish but I think on reflection now we'd probably vote, if we had a referendum, the other way now,” said one.
Asked if he felt he had “shot himself in the foot,” he replied: “We might have done, we may very well have done.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Flying into danger
Feature America's air traffic control system is in crisis. Can it be fixed?
-
Pocket change: The demise of the penny
Feature The penny is being phased out as the Treasury plans to halt production by 2026
-
Time's up: The Democratic gerontocracy
Feature The Democratic party is losing key seats as they refuse to retire aging leaders
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Brexit 'reset' deal: how will it work?
In Depth Keir Stamer says the deal is a 'win-win', but he faces claims that he has 'surrendered' to Brussels on fishing rights
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?
Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
-
Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meeting
Speed Read The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally
-
Why are Europe's leaders raising red flags about Trump's Ukraine overtures to Putin?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Officials from across the continent warn that any peace plan without their input is doomed from the start