REFERENDA AND FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN THE EU AND EEA

Early day motion 979, tabled 28 January 2013 by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 1 member.

That this House notes that one issue that a significant proportion of the UK population wish to see renegotiated in the UK's relationship with pan-European bodies is the issue of immigration controls; recognises that freedom of movement within Europe arises from the UK's membership of the European Economic Area; further recognises that any change in visa requirements would be likely to be reciprocal; further notes that a large number of UK citizens live outside the UK, but within the EU; further recognises that they could lose their residency rights if the rules on freedom of movement are changed; calls for any future government in negotiating with the EU to take the effect on this group of UK citizens to be taken into account; and further calls on the Government to ensure that, in any referendum on EU membership, those UK citizens, many of whom have paid UK taxes for decades and then retired abroad, should be allowed to vote to express their view.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 1.