Home secretary and Tory leadership front-runner Theresa May has said that the future for EU migrants living in the UK is uncertain and up for negotiation in Brexit talks.
The UNISON-supported HOPE not hate campaign is backing a call from the British Future think tank for every candidate to become Conservative Party leader to make a clear commitment that EU migrants currently living in the UK are welcome to stay here.
The union is urging members and others to sign a letter making this call, which will be delivered to all five Conservative leadership candidates.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has added his voice to the call, saying: “Workers from across Europe – and people from elsewhere in the world – play a vital role in our public services, especially our NHS.
“Those who have chosen to make this great country their home and then dedicated themselves to public service should never face being turfed out of their homes and their communities because of dangerous rhetoric being bandied around during the Conservative leadership contest.
“UNISON stands with all those who have a right to work in this country – and will continue to defend their right to do so.”
Research from ICM for British Future shows that 84% of the British public supports letting EU migrants stay – including 77% of Leave voters.