A Tory MP lost his job for trying to protect EU citizens’ rights – the only 11 reactions you need to read
Among the many casualties of the whole Brexit debacle – such as the value of the pound and reasoned debate – are EU citizens living and working in the UK, who have been been plunged into uncertainty. One Conservative MP, Alberto Costa, aimed to allay some of their fears by tabling an amendment to make a deal to protect their rights, even if the UK crashes out. The Parliamentary Private Secretary immediately lost his job, with his aides claiming he’d been sacked and Downing Street insisting he had resigned.
This is how it was reported.
Conservative MP Alberto Costa has been sacked as a parliamentary private secretary after he tabled an amendment supporting citizens' rights regardless of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) February 27, 2019
In the Conservative Party standing up for EU citizens' rights is now a sackable offence. We are witnessing the hard right takeover of the Tory party, and the British government, in real time. https://t.co/O9gAt3xSPc
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 27, 2019
It didn’t seem like a good look for the government.
1.
“I’ve hired a ferryless ferry firm to ferry food and medicine”
“Please stay in your job”
“I blocked a bill that would outlaw the genital mutilation of children”
“Please retain the whip”
“I want to protect citizens’ rights-“
“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY PARTY” https://t.co/2imOVElj8w— James Felton (@JimMFelton) February 27, 2019
2.
T May, 2013: let's scrap human rights, I want to be more racist
T May, 2016: let's stay in the EU! BUT scrap human rights, I want to be more racist
T May, 2017: Brexit Means Scrapping Human Rights So I Can Be More Racist
T May, 2019: how are you not getting this yet Alberto https://t.co/qDtAk6Y5T8
— katie (@supermathskid) February 27, 2019
3.
Theresa May: “EU Citizens can rest assured their rights will be protected”
Costa: “Great. I'll table an amendment to that affect”
Theresa May: “You’re fired!”https://t.co/GMxugHDMms
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) February 27, 2019
4.
https://twitter.com/paperghost/status/1100740515761397760
5.
Shitshow twist no 456,789,643 https://t.co/k7JVaacY0I
— Al Murray (Fat Cops) (@almurray) February 27, 2019
6.
“Protecting your rights, together with the rights of UK nationals living in EU countries, has been my first priority.” — Theresa May
“Trying to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU with an amendment? You’re sacked.” — Theresa May#AlbertoCosta
— Prof Tanja Bueltmann (@cliodiaspora) February 27, 2019
7.
I see the detoxification of the Tory party’s going as well as ever. https://t.co/cgCUzdDQEe
— Chris Addison (@mrchrisaddison) February 27, 2019
8.
https://twitter.com/HichamYezza/status/1100743101264683008
9.
But, of course, this government cares and loves all EU citizens living in the UK and wants them to feel at home, right? https://t.co/LlcS9GdFhO
— Jakub Krupa (@JakubKrupa) February 27, 2019
10.
HE DID WHAAAAAT? Well, no wonder he’s been sacked. How dare he *checks notes* stand up for citizens rights
— Rod Kelly (@rodkelly50) February 27, 2019
11.
After a rare outbreak of basic human decency in the Tory ranks Theresa May responds by immediately forcing the man responsible for it out of his job! https://t.co/CSKeJJjYzl
— Another Angry Voice (@Angry_Voice) February 27, 2019
In a bit of a plot twist, this is Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, discovering that the Prime Minister had been planning to oppose the amendment. A case of the left hand not having a f_cking clue what the right hand is doing.
Among some confusion Sajid Javid confirms ministers will back the Costa amendment on guaranteeing EU citizens rights under no-deal pic.twitter.com/C2UnOnxf5J
— Nicholas Mairs (@Nicholas_Mairs) February 27, 2019
Consequently, with the backing of the Government, the amendment passed without opposition.
Delighted to see my amendment pass with the Gov adopting in full. It’s been a journey but immensely grateful to those colleagues who have supported as well as the excellent @the3million & @BritishInEurope, seeing so many messages of hope/encouragement have made this all worth it. https://t.co/8VhkCOssBb
— Alberto Costa MP (@AlbertoCostaMP) February 27, 2019
