Passport

[yrneh1938]

te goverment are talking about a blue passport
what does that mean i wonder

[Islay]

Link?

[ummmm]

Non EU passport.

[New Judge]

The old hard backed blue passport was last issued in 1988. The change was nothing to do with the EU. There was an international agreement on passport size and format (so that they could be read by standard machines at border points) and there is no possibility that the old hard backed blue version will reappear.

There is no such thing as an EU passport. Each of the 28 EU member nations issues its own passports. The EU does not issue passports. The only reference to the EU on a UK passport is on the cover where the words “European Union” appear on the front cover above “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”. This has no function outside the EU and is only of use within the EU to denote that the holder is a citizen of an EU country (and so is entitled to free, unchallengeable. passage within the EU).

The government will obviously remove the “European Union” words from the cover of UK passports when Brexit is finalised. Whether they change the colour is not clear.

[Electrochem]

Does it really matter that much?

I'd rather have the smaller one!

[Prudie]

What else can it mean other than the government are talking about a blue passport? We know we can't keep the current EU one.

[Old_Geezer]

Can't see any problem with keeping the old one until they run out.
Meanwhile it's reasonable to design a new UK one. Will probably be the same size as the present one, but it can be any colour we like. We can even colour it black and pretend it is blue like we used to, if we like.

[jno]

Britain is full of top designers and artists, why not ask them for suggestions? I wouldn't mind a Hockney passport, though perhaps not a Posh Spice one.

[New Judge]

There is no need to withdraw and replace the current passports until they expire and are renewed.

As I mentioned, Prudie, the current passports are not "EU" passports. There is no such thing. It is a UK passport which simply happens to have (for the reason I pointed out) the words "European Union" on the front cover. This in itself is completely unnecessary; I'm quite sure border staff in EU countries can be provided with a list of the 28 member nations so that they know when they are dealing with a passport holder from one of them. But of course it helps fuel the Euromaniacs' delusions of grandeur and it seems to have succeeded because many people seem to think they hold an "EU" passport.

There is no other reference to the EU within a UK passport and nor should there be. All that needs to be done to change UK passports post-Brexit is to simply remove the words "European Union" from the cover, but a different cover to distinguish it from EU passports may be a nice idea.

[Prudie]

Yes NJ hadn't seen your post when I submitted but was going to type current UK one with the EU written on it but couldn't be bothered at the time.

[ummmm]

Then my answer wasn't clear as I know it's not an EU passport and just carries a logo.

[EDDIE51]

The EU does issue passports but they are a form of 'diplomatic passport' available only to senior EU council members.
https://t1.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/84/70/24/500_F_84702467_nZOUdQt3TscLT4HbPCwE3UKchGZ3o0BS.jpg
These senior members can choose to have a passport of their own state or travel on an EU passport.

[New Judge]

You mean the EU “laissez-passer”, Eddie. Not a passport, as such, more of a travel document and available only to senior Euromaniacs. (I think around 2,000 are currently in use). It is not accepted worldwide but in only about 100 nations outside the EU. I believe the UN issues a similar document which is accepted by all UN member nations. Not available, of course, to “ordinary” people.

[fiction-factory]

I haven't heard the government talking about it but I have seen/heard quite a few people and newspapers calling for us to get rid of the existing dark red passport as a way of showing ourselves and the world that we have voted for Brexit. I am not sure of teh logic but if it makes people happy and doesn't mean payng to replace my new one or getting new photos I don't really care

[Baldric]

Just wondering why this is in 'Body and Soul' exactly what details are they going to want if the Passport changes?

[jourdain2]

Yes it would be nice to have our blue passport s again. Doesn't it go 'I require and charge' then I forget the words, but it is about passing without let or hindrance'. To go back to them would establish our identity as a separate entity, but they could easily be phased in as the old red ones expired - unless the EU got awkward of course and all the signs are that they do not want an amicable divorce. So be it, their choice. We will have to gird the old loins.

[New Judge]

The words are exacly the same now, jourdain, as they were before we joined the EU. The EU cannot "get awkward" as the issue of UK passports has nothing to do with them.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure how far you are going back jourd. It tended to change over the years, but a couple I had said the following:

Her Britannic Majesty's Principle Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.

Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.

The EU labelled ones are not so very different. Maybe "require and charge" would be nice next time.

[jourdain2]

Yes, it would be rather good. Taking charge again. :)