With the Brexit deadline looming, ambassador John Marshall’s update for British nationals was prudent. Although the EU could still grant an extension to the deadline--an extension that the UK government under the Benn Act would be obliged to accept--the ambassador was keen to stress the government’s desire to leave the European Union on 31 October. He also stressed that although the hope is that the withdrawal agreement currently being debated in parliament could be ratified in time, a no deal exit still remained a possibility. If there is a deal, British citizens will retain their rights in Luxembourg. So, it was the way that a no deal would affect British citizens and their families that was the main focus of his address. Full details of the presentation can be found on the British embassy Facebook page here.
But with questions being allowed from the audience that had gathered in the auditorium of St. George’s International School, there were perhaps five key takeaways from the evening.
1. The UK’s diplomats have a tough job
John Marshall spoke with clarity and graciousness, and clearly understands the concerns of British citizens in the grand duchy. However, as one questioner pointed out, the ambassador seemed to be treading on egg shells when answering some of the more political questions regarding Brexit (he is, after all a civil servant and not a politician). And when Emeline Bell, Consular Policy Officer at the British Embassy in Brussels, had to tell one audience member that her UK citizen children, aged 7 and 9, would not be eligible for home fees if they chose to study in the UK, she was clearly embarrassed by giving the questioner the bad news.
2. Luxembourg government is doing its best
It became clear throughout the evening that the Luxembourg authorities are doing as much as they can to reassure British citizens and make them feel welcome even in the event of a no deal Brexit. In some cases, they have even gone beyond the call of duty, for instance by passing legislation allowing British citizens working in the Luxembourg civil service to retain their jobs, even though they will no longer be EU citizens (a requirement for state employees up until now). For details of what the Luxembourg government is doing, visit its Brexit Information Folder page.
3. But some issues remain complex
Even armed with information and briefings, the panel were unable to answer precisely some individual questions regarding rights of UK citizens living and working in Luxembourg--for instance in complex cross border working rights--or about those who might want to return to the UK with family members who are not British. Just as parliamentarians in the UK are struggling to examine all the details of the withdrawal agreement in just a few days, many individuals in difficult circumstances have been left with questions unanswered about their future status.
4. Anger at 15-year rule will not abate
The most passionate reaction from the audience came when the ambassador was asked, on two separate occasions, about government plans to amend the rule that disbars UK citizens who have lived outside the country for more than 15 years from voting in UK parliament elections. One audience member said that the answer that the government was aware of the grievance and was committed to solving the issue sounded “cynical”.
5. When will UK really leave?
As one wag in the audience pointed out, the banners flanking John Marshall proudly exclaimed the date of Brexit as 31 October, but noticeably failed to state which year. We will find out in the next few days if the UK really does leave the European Union in 2019 or next year. John Marshall did say that the UK government would comply with the Benn Act, so if the current bill fails and the EU grants an extension then it is likely to be at least 31 January 2020 before the withdrawal part of Brexit is confirmed.