Huge relief -- no blue passports yet

In the first of what I hope is a series, the Graun looks at what Brexit means to you. First -- forget all that Project Fear stuff

It is important to know that when commentators talk about a “no deal” still being on the table at the end of December, this is not the dramatic cliff edge that people referred to last year.

The Withdrawal Agreement is a legally-binding treaty, and one of its provisions

means that the rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens settled in the EU are protected for life, beyond the 31 December negotiation deadline....Pensioners who have already retired to an EU country – with Spain the most popular – can heave a huge sigh of relief.... I also hope that the next phase of Brexit will agree reciprocity [protecting pensions for those who retire to Europe after 2020]  by end 2020.”

Moreover

The common travel area is a free movement convention between the UK and Ireland that predates the UK joining the EU.

However:

 Arguably the one thing even the most rabid Brexiters will miss, is how the EU’s roaming rules have allowed mobile users to use their handsets “as if at home” while travelling in another EU country....From 1 January 2021, there is nothing legally to stop roaming charges being reintroduced for UK travellers. The mobile operators have indicated they are working to keep the existing regime, but this is not guaranteed.

And:

After 31 December – and the end of the transition period – drivers permits and green cards will be required, unless an agreement is struck by the government and the EU. A mutual agreement recognising driving licences/insurance between the EU and UK is likely, but by no means guaranteed

The Graun would like there to be all sorts of continuing problems, no doubt, so they can say they told us so, and will be lobbying for these rights to be enshrined in law, no less. They suggest we might even have to join the plebs queue at airports not the EU queue. They say the same about other things like driving or attending EU unis. Apparently, attending a uni in Holland, say, will not only put you at the forefront of European cosmopolitanism and demonstrate your commitment to a Much Nicer World Without Prejudice, but save a few bob too. 

I suspect the real relief comes with this:

Will I need a new blue UK passport?

No. There will be no change to the British passport, though the UK government has started replacing the EU burgundy covers with blue ones.

Thank goodness -- if I renew mine now I might avoid the terrible stigma of having to carry a blue one.