Thread by @cldesira

There’s some confusion building already on Patel’s very unhelpful announcement that the UK will end freedom of movement for EU citizens on day one of Brexit, under new government plan. Let’s break this down... independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

This applies for those arriving in the U.K. to commence residence for the first time from 01 November 2019 (assuming Brexit will happen on 31 October). Freedom of movement was always ending on the day the U.K. leaves on a no-deal basis - when EU law ends.

The previous Govt. accepted that the new immigration system and border controls will not be ready for an abrupt change, so they planned to implement a temporary transition phase.

This temporary transition phase would require obtaining leave to enter and remain but on easier basis and built loosely around free movement rules.

This will bridge us from Brexit day to the new immigration system in 2021. Those European citizens will need to apply for a new visa under the new Rules or leave the U.K.

What’s unclear from @patel4witham is whether these transition plans will still be implemented unchanged or she’s going to implement something completely different. Not sure how she can do the latter with no real legislative time between now and 31 October.

And what time there is will be spent trying to topple her boss!

Well, there we have it. @Steven_Swinford confirms @patel4witham is gunning for a completely new system from 01 Nov despite, from all places, @ukhomeoffice concerns that it could raise issues akin to the #windrush.

It would be a Windrush upon a Windrush - with those arriving from 01 November and those residing before that date facing differing complex issues of confirming and evidencing lawful residence.

I’m struggling to decide if this Govt knows what it’s doing or trying to hash it up so much that they’d welcome force a no confidence vote to escape the mess it’s in - then blame everyone else for it.