By Ben Kerrigan-
European officials have reacted to plans for Britain to have new blue passports, warning that it could lead to travel delays in the years ahead. could spell travel delays and extra paperwork rather than the enhanced freedom promised by the government.
Theresa May confirmed the return of navy travel documents after Brexit. The UK prime minister said abandoning the EU-style burgundy design introduced in 1988 was an expression of “independence and sovereignty” that reflected “citizenship of a proud, great nation”.
Brussel officials pointed out that holders of any colour of British passport could experience weakened travel rights after Brexit unless further negotiating concessions are made.
One senior official said that “depending on how negotiations go on all free movement issues after Brexit” . British passport holders would run a high risk of losing a fast-track citizens lane when travelling on the continent . He said some would also be obliged to use a new visa waiver scheme.
The EU travel information and authorisation system could require British travellers to Europe to register in advance and make a small administrative payment.
EU RULES
Brussels sources say the tendering process for printing the new passports will likely take place under existing EU procurement rules. This will imply their printing abroad, but may come with more conditions and stipulations from EU Bosses. If the return to a blue passport will lead to longer cues, it suggests that the EU intend to punish UK citizens for symbolising their separation from the Union in such an open way. Euro skeptics see the planned change as a triumph for British Sovereignty, but one can equally argue that the Sovereignty celebrated is already a given once Britain officially leaves the EU in March 2019. EU bosses might be viewing this as a provocative move designed to reinforce the political divorce from the 27 nation bloc, and mark the separation in a meaningful way. The move is actually the political symbol of Independence and Sovereignty as stated by Theresa May, but it runs the risk of worsening matters.
Full dialogue with EU chiefs about the purpose of this change and the need for it, is what UK government officials will need to discuss with them. The change of colour of the old burgundy passport to blue will look like a setback if it comes with manufactured consequences that include long delays on queues when traveling to EU countries.