The UK could bring in tough new controls on migration from the EU without actually having to leave the bloc, former Prime Minister Tony Blair says. Concerns over immigration were cited by many who voted for Brexit.
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Outspoken Brexit opponent Tony Blair used a Sunday Times article to put forward the idea that Britain tighten up its rules on EU migration while remaining a member state.
The former premier argued it would satisfy the demands of the British public while avoiding the upheaval of leaving the 28-member bloc.
Back in 2004, Blair's Labour government allowed citizens of former communist countries which joined the EU to work and settle immediately in the UK, in contrast to other member states which implemented long transition periods. This led to an influx of EU migrants.
Blair conceded that migration to the UK was a central issue in the June 2016 Brexit referendum and the result showed a widespread feeling that unchecked migration was forcing wages down, straining public services and raising questions of cultural integration.
"Paradoxically, we have to respect the referendum vote to change it," Blair said.
"We can curtail the things that people feel are damaging about European immigration, both by domestic policy change and by agreeing change within Europe to the freedom of movement principle," added Blair, who led the country for a decade from 1997.
Tightening the rules
Changes he proposed included requiring EU immigrants to register on arrival in Britain so officials could keep track of whether they found work or study. EU nationals would also be required to have a confirmed job offer before being able to settle in Britain.
Those without permission would be banned from renting property, opening a bank account or claiming benefits. Qualifying for the National Health Service would become more difficult and universities would be allowed to charge higher tuition rates for EU nationals.
A paper published by Blair's Institute for Global Change also proposes seeking an "emergency brake" for migration when services are stretched.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have in the past refuted the idea that the UK could pick and choose when it came to the four freedoms – movement of goods, capital, services and people – which form the cornerstone of the EU's single market.
The UK parliament is preparing to vote Monday on a Brexit bill which would eventually convert many aspects of EU law into British law. The two-year period for finalizing Brexit ends in March 2019.
Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?
Brexit talks began in June and both sides have been frustrated at the lack of progress. DW has taken a look at key issues being debated in Brussels as the clock ticks toward Britain's scheduled departure in March 2019.
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Two phases
EU leaders agreed to negotiating guidelines during a summit in April 2017 that divided the divorce talks into two phases. Phase I, in which both sides aimed to settle the basic terms of Britain's departure, started in July and ended with an agreement on "sufficient progress" in December. Officials are now holding Phase II negotiations on the post-Brexit relationship between Britain and the EU.
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The "Brexit Bill"
London agreed to a formula for calculating what it owes in its "divorce bill" to the EU in early December after months of haggling by British officials. The current EU budget expires in 2022 and EU officials have said the divorce bill will cover financial obligations Britain had committed to before triggering article 50. The final bill will reportedly total around £50 billion (€67 billion).
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Citizens' rights
Both sides agreed in early December that the 3 million EU citizens currently in Britain and the 1.1 million British citizens in the EU keep their residency rights after Brexit. British courts will have immediate jurisdiction over EU citizens living in Britain. But the EU's highest court, the ECJ, can hear cases until 2027 if British judges refer unclear cases to them.
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The Irish border
Britain and the EU also agreed in December that no border checks between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would return post-Brexit. How feasible the commitment will be is unclear, as Britain's commitment to leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union makes it difficult to avoid customs checks at the Irish border.
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Transition period
Theresa May envisages a two-year transition period after March 2019. Both sides still have to hash out the details of the transition period in Phase II, including the exact end-date, whether new EU laws passed during the period will apply to Britain, and whether Britain can negotiate its own free trade deals. British officials hope to agree on the terms of the transition by March 2018.
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Trade
May has repeatedly said Britain will leave the European Single Market and the EU Customs Union. Leaving both could disrupt British-EU trade, but allow Britain to negotiate its own free trade deals and restrict EU migration — key demands by pro-Brexit politicians. London has said it wants to negotiate a new EU-UK trade deal during Phase II to minimize trade disruption before March 2019.
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Immigration
Britain has also vowed to restrict EU migration into Britain after Brexit. However, some British lawmakers are wary that a sharp drop in immigration could lead to shortfalls in key sectors, including health, social care and construction. The EU has warned that Single Market access is out of the question if London decides to restrict the ability of its citizens to live and work in Britain.
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Security
Recent terror attacks across Europe including a string in Britain underline both sides' support for continued security cooperation after March 2019. But access to EU institutions such as Europol and programs such as the European Arrest Warrant require compliance with EU laws. Whether Britain will still be compliant after it leaves is unclear.
