|
They say they have been completely forgotten by the new prime minister, who instead went out of his way to pledge that he would look after EU citizens in the UK in his maiden speech in Downing Street.
“It is very disappointing that he mentioned EU citizens in the UK but he didn’t mention us in his speech,” said Jane Golding, co-chair of British in Europe, which represents 1.3 million Britons on the continent. [...]
Without a deal or a transition arrangement, many rights of Britons will be left to individual member states. Those who work in the EU fear they will lose employment, social and healthcare rights if the UK crashes out without a deal. Those who have worked in the UK but retired to the continent face uncertainties over pensions and the right to healthcare paid for by the NHS.
Johnson repeatedly pledged new legislation for EU citizens in the UK during his leadership campaign and gave them prime billing again in his maiden speech as prime minister on the steps of No 10. [...]
“I can assure you that under this government you will get the absolute certainty of the rights to live and remain,” he said. However, he made no mention of Britons in Europe. [...]