Citizenship and Rights, a Reflection on the Consequences of Brexit

During the 2016 referendum on EU membership, Brexit was sold as the ultimate example of democracy, "taking back control #of borders, laws and money. Britain could "have its cake and eat it#: enjoy all the benefits already acquired without having to pay for membership or respect the "rules of the club#. EU nationals resident in the UK and their "ex-pat #British counterparts in Europe were denied participation in this critical vote on their future. Hostile environment immigration policies normalised xenophobic sentiment and set the backdrop to the Brexit vote. European Citizenship came with significant benefits and rights which were lost on 31 December 2020 at the conclusion of the transition period, but a lack of information means that most people in Britain have yet to fully understand the implications of their vote or the rights that they have forfeited