Re: Goldsmith lost in Richmond because of it. Apparently.
Yes it does: British citizens can, and do, currently move around to EU to look for work, start a business, or enjoy retirement or generally hang out.
They could do that before the EU was created, even before the EEC was created.
Losing that right is going to have a major impact on most of my friends and, especially, their children.
This is a common piece of propganda. Losing the right does not mean losing the power. There are hundreds of thousands of Americans, Canadians, Australians, Indians, Chinese, etc. who live happily in the EU, and vice-versa. None of them had the right to simply walk in and plonk themselves down, but all had the power to request residence, do the paperwork, and settle. It isn't even very difficult. Why should anyone have the right to settle anywhere they choose, without making some effort first to demonstrate a commitment, and a willingness to contribute, to their new home?
Freedom of movement is not some theoretical concept only relevant to wealthy metropolitan liberals. Many Brits, from all walks of life, have benefitted from that right and lived in other European countries for shorter or longer periods, or are still living there.
Indeed so, about 1.2 million (or 2% of the UK population) and there's no reason we could not continue to do so, although we may have to put a little more effort into it.
A right that might well evaporate in the near future.
Unfortunately people who bang the "I know my rights" drum often overlook the other ride of the coin, which is the duty and responsibility to give something in return. Just insisting on "rights" makes it all take, and no give. It's highly unlikely that either EU counties or the UK will start expelling one another's citizens post-Brexit, that would be lose-lose. At worst people wanting to move may have to do a bit of paperwork, and some may be refused, but I daresay it will still be much easier then moving to the USA, or Australia, etc.
