Ministers rule out rethink to rescue visa-cost-free excursions by musicians, insisting ‘control of borders’ will have to arrive initial



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Ministers have rejected calls for a rethink to rescue visa-totally free tours by musicians of the EU – insisting “taking back again control” of borders should occur very first.

Answering an urgent query in the Commons, Caroline Dinenage insisted talks would resume only if Brussels “changes its mind” about how to solve the stalemate

The culture minister admitted – as The Unbiased exposed – that the EU’s proposal was thrown out simply because of a fear it clashed with ending cost-free movement of men and women following Brexit.

She claimed it would have enabled “visa-totally free small stays for all EU citizens” – even when admitting it would have included only a “very smaller quantity of paid out activities”.

“That is just just not appropriate with our manifesto dedication to having back again manage of our borders,” she told MPs.

Under tension, Ms Dinenage did agree to take into account publishing all correspondence to reveal accurately what transpired in the failed negotiations.

But she created apparent the government’s purpose now was to perform with personal EU associates states – “to uncover techniques to make daily life easier” for musicians – rather than reopen talks in Brussels.

That would only happen if the EU agreed to the British isles proposal less than so-named ‘mode 4’ exemptions, which the EU argues is for professionals, offering contracted providers, not performers.

Its significantly far more bold proposal would have eradicated the danger of operate visas – for 90 days, not just 30 – for a carved-out checklist of “paid activities”, like audio tours.

Despite Brexit, EU citizens can appear to the Uk as holidaymakers for up to 6 months in any case, the common period for international readers exempt from visas.

However, Ms Dinenage explained to the Commons the EU give would have opened the door to “permanent visa-cost-free brief stays for all EU citizens” – breaching the Tory assure to voters.

She also claimed the EU’s proposals would not have “covered guidance employees or technicians”, even though it is believed the British isles refused to even open talks on that.

Pete Wishart, the SNP MP who secured the urgent issue, referred to his days touring in Europe with the band Runrig.

“Touring Europe indicates every little thing to our artists and musicians. The thrill of that initially tour, crammed into the Transit van with all your equipment, 4 to a space in a low cost lodge in Paris, Rotterdam or Hamburg. Employing what’s still left of the cost for a publish-gig beer,” he said.

“The desire that when you arrive again it will be a lavish tour bus, remaining in 5-star lodges.

“Gone, all long gone. Musicians and artists mere collateral in this government’s obsession in ending liberty of movement.”

But Ms Dinenage hinted any resolution was a long time away, declaring: “The negotiating team did negotiate an option to come back again and assessment this in the yrs in advance – so the gentle at the finish of the tunnel is not solely switched off.”

The stalemate throws the choice onto member states, with some hope that EU capitals will – as France already has – waive the operate allow prerequisite unilaterally.