Freedom of Movement allowed people to say yes to opportunities across Europe. In this speech Andrew Hesselden explains why restoring it matters. youtu.be/JYA3gVGxlnw

Freedom of Movement is about more than travel. It’s the freedom to live, work, study and build a life across Europe without needing permission first. Andrew Hesselden explains why restoring it matters — and why the UK-EU debate can’t move forward until we confront what was lost. youtu.be/JYA3gVGxlnw

Freedom of Movement isn’t just about travel. It’s about the ability to say yes to a job, a relationship, a life somewhere else. When visas are required, you don’t lose the possibility — you lose the freedom to decide. I spoke about this at the London4Europe rally. youtu.be/JYA3gVGxlnw

Please do support this @europeanmovement.co.uk petition and let’s rejoin the Single Market and restore mutual Freedom of Movement www.europeanmovement.co.uk/single-marke...

I’m a speaker at the London For Europe rally tonight (Tuesday). Details on Facebook here www.facebook.com/share/1EHFW7...

I’ll be speaking at the London4Europe event on Tuesday evening about Freedom of Movement and why it’s key to unlocking the Brexit impasse. #VoicesofLostFOM #SaveFOM #RejoinEU

1. Thread 🧵 Freedom of Movement wasn’t just a policy. It was a simple freedom: the ability to say yes. • Yes to a job. • Yes to love. • Yes to a new life in another country. When that freedom disappeared, something subtle but important changed.

Here are the objectives of the @180daysinspain.bsky.social campaign. Our objectives for @savefom.bsky.social are much broader of course.

6. I look forward to the day we can put this whole sorry mess behind us, restore mutual freedom of movement, and take our place once again in the Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. #RejoinEU

5. It is certainly something that could have been pursued by the UK government, yet as with so many issues affecting the rights of British citizens, it feels like Westminster simply doesn’t care.

4. Visa-free access for Brits to Gibraltar may not seem critical to everyone in practical terms. But as a point of principle, I’m surprised it has been overlooked.

3. While the new treaty is clearly a win for Gibraltar — and a step forward for those of us who want to see Brexit undone completely — I can’t help thinking the British government has dropped the ball quite spectacularly.

2. Even more so when you consider that this would not happen to a Canadian or New Zealander, thanks to historic bilateral treaties that effectively allow extra time in the Schengen zone when needed.

🧵 Thread 1. It seems unfathomable to me that a British person who has spent 30 days in Spain, 30 days in Germany and then 30 days in Italy would be prevented from spending even one day in #Gibraltar. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

No because it would allow days to roll off that were more than 180 days ago. Remember this is about people who travel and live extensively in the Schengen zone.

2 days in Gibraltar allows the 180 days period to roll forward by two days which might allow days that were 181 and 182 days ago to drop off and lose relevance.

Now that us peasants are allowed to see this treaty, here's some thoughts as I read through it. The summary states that there is no effect on sovereignty and 'no direct application of EU law to Gibraltar through the Agreement or enforcement role for the [CJEU] in Gibraltar'

Not exactly, this refers to entry into Schengen, not Gibraltar

A lot of idiots voted in the ADVISORY referendum to leave and the CAPITALISTS who promoted it WITH MONEY FROM RUSSIA forced Cameron to make it law, even though those same advocates knew that a binding referendum would have required a two thirds majority. We are now a 3rd country and it sucks.

We’ve also asked supporters of our partner campaigns to write to their MPs this weekend and to tell them about how losing Freedom of Movement has affected them. Delighted you are holding this debate. @180daysinspain.bsky.social @francevisafree.bsky.social

No there’s no need for that to be done.

Our campaign asks for 1. Protection under withdrawal agreement (or similar) for everyone living lawfully in Spain part-year before Brexit. 2. UK passport holders to be admitted visa free for up to six months every time they visit Spain irrespective of time in other countries.

Yes because the EU doesn’t have competence beyond 90 days. It’s a national matter.

Thread on solving the 90-in-180 day problem 🧵 The solutions to the 90-in-180 day problem are many and varied. Politicians really have **no** excuse for inaction. Any of the following provide models for solutions or are solutions in themselves…

Freedom of Movement of people, goods, service and capital are certainly indivisible in the context of the single market. But outside of that context, Freedom of Movement of people could certainly stand alone as a first step. In fact, it does in Switzerland. And between Ireland and UK too.

We will only succeed in undoing Brexit when we turn our thinking upside down.

Delighted people are catching on about Freedom of Movement being the way to unlock the Brexit impasse.

The problem of course is that it’s Freedom of Movement **of people** that British politicians are so scared of. Why are they scared? Because they think YOU don’t want it and won’t accept it.

Freedom of Movement of people, goods, services and capital are certainly indivisible in the context of the Single Market. But outside of that context, Freedom of Movement of people could certainly stand alone, as a first step. It does in Switzerland. And between Ireland and UK too.

People are waiting until we (eventually?!) rejoin the EU to get their Freedom of Movement back in Europe. But that’s topsy turvy thinking. Because we can’t rejoin the EU until we are prepared to rejoin the Single Market. And that’s not possible until UK gov agrees to restore FOM.

We’re not asking to spend more than 180 days in Spain. Do you realise that? See @180daysinspain.bsky.social

Schengen visa update: EU plans to extend 90-day rule for select jobs—who qualifies? gulfnews.com/world/europe...

Really great news to see the 90-in-180-day problem being addressed. But still, the needs of millions of British part year residents are not being heard by either UK gov or EU. Let’s hope this issue gets addressed too …or that we can just restore mutual Freedom of Movement for everyone instead.

The visa paper from the EU is however significant. There is recognition that 90/180 is restrictive, that change needs to happen and that visas need to be simpler.This all feeds our argument & strengthens our case .

I think that’s a very good question. We have asked for representation at the Joint EU UK Committee and the embassies are aware of us. But this seems to be a can of worms. No one wants to open yet.

Why aren't they talking to the victims who have the problem?

This is why our work is so important because it raises awareness of the challenges that the 90-in-180-day problem causes (exposed very much by Brexit). I’d be delighted to work with EU/UK to help them understand this issue. It’s a shame there is still no consultation with affected groups.

You might spend a lot in Spain. That’s undoubtedly good for Spain’s economy (if not the UK one). But I always think that’s up to them to to notice. I think the reason people should have their rights protected is different: it’s because you were an EU citizen and you made a home and life in Spain

Of course there is. We invented the term to help people understand that those affected live part-year in Spain, as opposed to being visitors or holidaymakers. We want to help people to understand why arrangements designed for holidaymakers are not appropriate.

That's the reality unless you think the EU will welcome us back with open arms tomorrow. Oh, and we very much *do* recognise the Single Market = FoM.

The point here is surely that @anglo-european.bsky.social *is* resident. But can’t *get* “residency” because of a mistake in the withdrawal agreement.

This is what English people want. Our mobility rights back.

On 31 Jan 2020 UK left EU . Travel is harder, visa processes hamper mobility, and people’s lives have been turned upside down. Please get involved in changing this and join European Movement UK 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 www.europeanmovement.co.uk/membership-2... #VoicesofLostFOM #SaveFOM #RejoinEU

You’re right, but it doesn’t need to be Freedom of Movement to deliver what people urgently need. Freedom of Movement can come later. It’s why I run both @180daysinspain.bsky.social and also @savefom.bsky.social and why I support and work with @europeanmovement.co.uk Step by step approach.

Can’t wait for this day…. #SaveFOM #RejoinEU

Spain treats illegal migrants very well. And also protects any Brit who lives in Spain full year even if previously unregistered. They‘re sitting pretty. The people left high & dry are those with lawful part year lives in EU countries who now have to make arrangements designed for holidaymakers.

I doubt it’s exceptionalism. More likely to be people just wanting to carry on their lives after Brexit in peace.

France has a visa but other countries do not. But the French visa costs 99€ plus various other costs, involves a long wait, a face to face interview And has fixed dates so is unsuitable for the needs of many people. It prohibits work too so not suitable for younger people who are not retired.

It’s a dreadful waste of time and money. Visa waivers or Freedom of Movement are a better way to handle this.