Tory MP urges Theresa May to bring back ‘iconic’ blue passport to kick-start Brexit and control borders
The dark blue passport was changed in 1988 for EU-approving burgundy one
A TORY MP has challenged Theresa May to mark her pledge to regain control of Britain’s borders by bringing back our “iconic” blue passport.
Senior backbencher Michael Fabricant yesterday leaped on The Sun’s campaign as the perfect way for the PM to demonstrate she is ready to deliver.
Last week Mrs May made the government’s first commitment on leaving the EU to deliver “controls of the numbers of people who come to Britain from Europe.”
For a month now, we have called on No10 to reintroduce the true blue document, ditched in 1988 for an EU-approved burgundy-coloured one.
Former deputy Tory chairman Mr Fabricant said last night: “It would be great if the PM could commit now to restoring the British blue passport without mention of EU citizenship on it as soon as we leave.
“The passport is iconic and a commitment to change it now would be a clear demonstration that Brexit will indeed mean Brexit.”
The MP for Lichfield added: “As it will take time for these passports to be redesigned and printed, I have been a little disappointed that the Home Office said they have no plans to change the passport once we have left.”
Mr Fabricant also whipped up a fresh social media storm yesterday by tweeting a snap of the old blue passport with the words: “Talking of #UK border control, this is what I want! Retweet if you do too!”
Traditional British blue passports were first introduced in 1921.
Lasting 10 years, the final one expired in 2003 with all subsequent ones having to bear the words “European Union” on the front.