Template letter
Dear [Find out who your MP is via Parliament UK],
RE: Finding a solution for musicians post-Brexit
As a professional musician I have serious concerns about my ability to continue to work in the EU as a direct result of the Brexit Trade Deal agreed by the Government.
[Explain how important European touring is to your livelihood, and give an example of a pre-pandemic tour or performance]
Recent research by the Musicians’ Union and the ISM shows that 77% of musicians expect their earnings in Europe to decrease, once restrictions are lifted. This is due to the additional documents required for themselves, such as work permits and visas, and for their equipment, such as customs documents like ATA Carnets. Transport expenses have also risen due to new road haulage requirements.
[Insert short description of which additional documents would apply to you and what the cost may be]
The Musicians’ Union – ISM survey also found that, as a direct result of leaving the EU:
- Only 43% of musicians are still planning tours or shows in the EU in the future.
- 42% of musicians would consider relocating to in order to continue working.
- 21% are considering a change of career.
In light of these serious challenges, over 300 creative organisations signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to deliver on the promise he made to the Parliamentarians Liaison Committee (24 March) to fix the crisis.
As an individual musician, I kindly ask you as my local MP to use your influence and write to the following Government Ministers on my behalf:
- Lord Frost CMG, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, to negotiate a bespoke Visa Waiver Agreement with the EU for the creative sector, covering all creative professionals
- Nadine Dorries, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to negotiate bilateral agreements with key individual EU Member States that do not currently offer cultural exemptions for work permits, or with key states which are the most important financially for creative workers
- Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, to reduce the adverse impact of the new road haulage and cross-trade rules that has made it impossible for touring companies to facilitate pan-European tours
- Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to provide an emergency funding package to compensate for additional costs they now face undertaking work in Europe
Ultimately, the Government must urgently uphold Britain’s global reputation for cultural innovation.
I hope you will support musicians like myself and others in our constituency to continue touring Europe.