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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ibnanv" data-source="post: 21238326" data-attributes="member: 218596">The 45 MPs have written to the Home Secretary calling for closer ties with the Commonwealth <img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/article_small/public/thumbnails/image/2016/11/15/07/passport-control-getty.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />Dozens of Conservative MPs have signed up to a plan to give citizens  of the 52 Commonwealth countries “fast-track” visas to the UK after  Brexit.  A letter to the Home Secretary, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/11/commonwealth-citizens-should-have-uk-visas-fast-tracked-brexit/" target="_blank">published</a> in The Daily Telegraph  newspaper, says loosening visa control on Commonwealth nations would  “extend the hand of friendship to our Commonwealth partners”.  If the MPs’ plan goes ahead citizens from countries including  Pakistan, India, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and  Ghana could find it easier to come to Britain.  <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-immigration-controls-plan-theresa-may-government-a7559371.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/readmore_card/public/thumbnails/image/2016/12/09/12/gettyimages-450549392.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-immigration-controls-plan-theresa-may-government-a7559371.html" target="_blank">New immigration controls may not be imposed straight after Brexit</a><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-immigration-controls-plan-theresa-may-government-a7559371.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-immigration-controls-plan-theresa-may-government-a7559371.html" target="_blank"></a>The idea, which also proposes faster passport control queuing at UK  border points for Commonwealth citizens, is due to be debated in  Parliament on 26 February.  The MPs say it is unfair that EU and EEA citizens should get to join  the UK queue while Commonwealth countries are lumped in with others.  “In the previous century, Commonwealth countries stood with Britain  as we faced existential threats from abroad, but as we pivoted to  Europe, increasingly, our Commonwealth allies were left in the cold,”  the letter says.  “The lack of consideration for Commonwealth citizens is at its  starkest at our border. In 2015, the last year for which figures are  readily available, from Australia, Canada and India alone, Britain  welcomed 2.2 million visitors who spent more than £2bn.”  It continues: “We must be clear about the importance we place on our  relationship with the Commonwealth and start the process of  strengthening ties for crucial future trade negotiations.“A key starting point in the renewal of our ties with our  Commonwealth partners should be a reconfiguring of our border control  system.”  The letter was organised by Conservative MP Jake Berry.  The Government’s Brexit White Paper, released last month, suggested  that EU freedom of movement controls could last after Brexit and that  any new border system could be phased in gradually.  Qualifying Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK can already vote  in British national elections, unlike those of EU member states who are  limited to local elections.A Home Office spokesperson said: “Once we have left the European  Union it will be the Government that sets our immigration rules.          Brexit racism and the fightback“Voters made it clear during the referendum that they wanted the country to take back control of immigration.  “This Government will deliver on that by building an immigration system that works for everyone.”</blockquote>

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