The Labour led Cambridge City Council is set to join the calls for the Government to give assurances that EU nationals currently in the country will be able to stay following the shock result of the EU Referendum on 23 June. A motion from Labour’s Market ward councillor, Dan Ratcliffe, will be debated at the Full Council meeting on July 14th, and is considered very likely to attract cross party support.

Councillor Ratcliffe said: “The majority of Cambridge residents voted firmly in favour of staying in the European Union. There’s much work to be done to understand the wider reasons behind the Out vote. However, we are sending a clear message to our EU citizens that this City and all its communities will support them at this uncertain time, including against any abhorrent racist or xenophobic incidents, and we are sending a clear message to the government that Cambridge’s growth and world-wide success is built in partnership with the thousands of European citizens who have made Cambridge their home.”

Councillor Lewis Herbert, Leader of the City Council, said:” EU residents already here have a contract with the UK from the time they arrived and that needs to be honoured by government immediately to bring an end to the fears and uncertainty that many of our Cambridge residents are suffering.  Cambridge has always been a diverse, welcoming and tolerant City but many of our businesses and major institutions like Addenbrookes and the University also depend on their continuing ability to keep their talented and committed employees from abroad.”

Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, who spoke at the EU rally in Cambridge attended by hundreds on 28 June, said:  “The positive work being done by Cambridge City Council is in stark contrast to the outrageous and downright irresponsible behaviour of the Government.  In a city like Cambridge, we do well because we attract the best and brightest from around the world who drive innovation and success for the whole economy.

The EU referendum has already caused jitters. Now is the moment to reassure EU citizens working here not pile on more uncertainty. The Government should remember the thing about a global workforce is they can up sticks again easily which would have dire consequences for our city and country.”