The future for Polish people in the UK

I don’t want EU citizens to “go home” after Brexit and nor do the vast majority of British people. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

While a small minority may have voted for Brexit because they wanted to shut the doors to all future immigration; and some people voted against Brexit since they supported a system which gives preference to (mostly white) people from EU countries over non-EU citizens to come to the UK, most people I speak to want a “fair” and controlled immigration system. They wanted a system which would champion people who contribute to our society, wherever they come from, whether from the EU or beyond.

This was my message to two Polish journalists, Adriana Chodakowska from Londynek and Danuta Michalska from Mixer Radio whose readers and listeners are concerned about what Brexit could mean for the future of Polish people living in the UK.

As I pointed out in this short video, the UK has tried twice to enshrine the right for EU citizens to stay but some EU countries have so far refused to guarantee the rights of UK citizens in their countries. Also, EU negotiators are pushing for EU citizens to have more rights than British citizens in some areas, which is simply not fair on British citizens.

I also reminded their audiences that Britain has welcomed Polish immigrants for centuries long before the EU even existed. The UK is probably the most tolerant country in the EU, given the histories of many other EU countries. However, Adriana and Danuta told me that some people feel that Britain has changed and that Polish people are no longer welcome. I was keen to reassure them that this wasn’t the case.