Return of the British not EU passport: Home Office 'considering changes post-Brexit'
THE traditional blue British passport could make a return, the Home Office has suggested.
The traditional blue British passport could make a return
There have been growing calls for the old navy documents to be reintroduced following Brexit.
And, responding to a written question from Conservative MP Julian Knight asking about it, the department said it is looking again at the issue.
The blue passport is a symbol of our independence as a strong, proud nation
Home Office minister Robert Goodwill said: “We are considering potential changes to the UK passport after the UK has left the European Union.
Conservative MP Julian Knight said the British passport is a symbol of 'our independence'
“At this early stage we have not undertaken a detailed cost benefit analysis or made any decisions about what a future UK passport might look like.“
Mr Knight, MP for Solihull, said that the answer indicated a clear shift in position from ministers.
Home Office minister Robert Goodwil said the department was considering the change after Brexit
He said: “The blue passport is a symbol of our independence as a strong, proud nation.
“I think this is a clear shift in position. I am very pleased to see that my calls and those of other MPs seem to be having an effect and that officials are now looking at the prospect of reintroducing this great symbol of our independence and our nation.”
Outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage and a number of MPs have called for the blue passports to be reintroduced.
Unlike many others in the campaign, Mr Knight was in favour of staying in the EU and campaigned against Brexit.
But he said now that the vote has been declared the Government should scrap the burgundy passports and switch back to the old-style model.
He said: “There are many people who missed the original blue passport - they like the feel, the look of it - and now we have voted to leave the European Union it seems to be a good time to review when we should introduce our own passport.
Ukip leader Nigel Farage and a number of MPs have called for the blue passports to be reintroduced
“I don't see any additional problems or extra cost from changing the colour of the passport, but clearly we can't put on the front of the passport that we are a member of the European Union, because we won't be soon.
“I just think it would be a symbol of our independence as a country and accepting a new era.”