Theresa May’s attempt to cement her position and authority has tremendously backfired, as the UK woke up this morning to news that the UK General Election resulted in a hung parliament. The Conservatives failed to hold onto a majority of seats and as a result, have had to form an alliance with Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in order to form a majority Government. The future of migrants in the UK and Brexit are now more uncertain than ever due to this hung parliament and no clear, set plan for the future.
The UK General Election Result
In order for a political party in the UK to have a majority government, they must have at least 326 seats in parliament. The Conservatives are set to have 319 seats, which would mean they have lost 13 seats since Theresa May called this snap election back in April. In the event that no political party has a majority, this is known as a hung parliament. Late this morning, the PM held talks with the DUP leader about seeking an agreement between the two parties and form a majority Government. Mrs May gave no details how she would work with the DUP, but suggested it would be a loose, “confidence and supply” deal rather than a formal coalition as we saw in 2010 with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
The outcome of this UK General Election is a massive humiliation for the Theresa May, as she called the election in an attempt to strengthen her hand in talks with the European Union on Brexit; however it has completely backfired and had the opposite impact. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has written to Theresa May this afternoon to congratulate her on her “re-election”, but emphasises the importance of the Brexit talks and “securing the least disruptive outcome for our citizens, businesses and countries after March 2019“. Brexit was one of the key features of this election campaign, and if you are an EEA national who is concerned about your status in the UK, you should not hesitate to contact a solicitor, such as a member of our specialist immigration team, in order to discuss your next steps and help prepare any residence applications.
What Does the Outcome of the UK General Election Mean for EEA Nationals?
As a consequence of the general election resulting in a hung parliament, there is even greater uncertainty over the future of the UK. It has been confirmed that the Brexit negotiation timetable is to go ahead as scheduled, with talks about Britain’s exit from the European Union scheduled for 19 June 2017, yet Britain’s stance in these early talks remains to be seen. Arlene Foster, who is the leader of the DUP, has previously expressed the interest for a ‘soft’ Brexit, stating that;
“no-one wants to see a ‘hard’ Brexit, what we want to see is a workable plan to leave the European Union, and that’s what the national vote was about – therefore we need to get on with that”.
This could, therefore, alter Mrs May’s strategy that no Brexit deal is better than a bad one and urge her to strike a deal that would not be entirely detrimental for migrants in the UK, however it is unlikely the DUP will have a great amount of influence. In her speech she made outside number 10 Downing Street earlier today, the PM ironically vowed to provide certainty and keep the country safe, when the instability of a minority Government is not providing comfort to any of the EEA nationals who exercising treaty rights in the UK and are unsure of their future here in the country many now call home. Hence it is no surprise that many EEA nationals are rushing to regularise their status and become a permanent UK resident before the imminent changes to the way EEA nationals can apply for residence.
Using Legal Representation to Apply for an EEA Residence Card after the UK General Election
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status, even in times of uncertainty. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to apply for an EEA Residence Card and confirm your status in the UK.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided. This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Submitting Successful EEA Permanent Residence Card Applications after the UK General Election
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.