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A fantastic day organised by @HenryCPorter and others; @lara_spirit and @maryftz for hosting. So many people to thank. I chaired a great panel on the hugely important issue of freedom of movement @SebDance Jane Dyball, @bellafrimpong Laura Shields @mediawhizz . A few thoughts. 1
We know that immigration was a driver of the vote to leave, whether due to perception, actual experience or lies, e.g. re-Turkey. The public is now however, waking up in ever increasing numbers (74% now in favour) to the fact that what was really at issue was free movement. 2/
This fundamental freedom is one of the most progressive developments in post-war history. It is an agent for social mobility, cultural exchange, economic growth, solidarity between countries & peoples and ultimately, for peace. 3/
Despite this, Theresa May is trumpeting its removal as one of the greatest gains of Brexit. This seems staggering; it is surely unprecedented for any country's Government to trumpet as a success the reduction of its citizens' rights, freedoms and opportunities? 4/
Yet this is precisely what is happening in Britain today. Why is this happening? We know that removing freedom of movement is close to TM's heart. Perhaps having spent so long in the Home Office she is too emotionally connected with the issue to understand its implications. 5/
But these are our rights and freedoms - our lives. Our children's and country's future. Her emotional relationship with the issue cannot be allowed to decide it. 6/
Nor indeed does it need to. EU law already gives countries the necessary powers to control immigration. An EU citizen can only go to a country for 3 months without work, after which s/he must prove that s/he has private health care and/or is not a burden on social services. 7/
States can and do require people coming in to register. The UK can do this but chooses not to. It can do this to control immigration whilst allowing us all to retain the fundamental freedom to live, love and work across 31 states. 8/
To take away these rights & freedoms is to decimate existing businesses & livelihoods, esp in service/cultural industries (consultants, musicians, agents etc). It is to put the competitiveness of our young at a disadvantage and to narrow and diminish their future prospects. 9/
It is an act of extreme folly - cruelty even. I know this personally. My family came about from this right, as did that of my brother. Neither of our families could have happened without free movement. People must be free to move & strive & love & live. 10/
Damn politicians who take this away from us without any public need or indeed public benefit.
Our Government wants to do this to its people and this is called success. Thank you @SebDance and everyone else for fighting this. 11/
Our Government wants to do this to its people and this is called success. Thank you @SebDance and everyone else for fighting this. 11/
