It’s in Britain’s economic and cultural interest to fix things for touring musicians quickly, but it needs leadership from the top. Photo credit: Shutterstock
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Kevin Brennan – Labour MP for Cardiff West – brought up the urgent need for an agreement with the EU for musicians and performers to tour freely, and explained why it's in our economic and cultural interest do so:
“There is a real disappointment that a reciprocal work-permit-free deal for touring musicians and performers has not been agreed with the EU. No one is interested in a blame game, it’s clearly fixable and in Britain’s economic and cultural interest to do so quickly but it needs leadership from the top.”
He went on to ask the Prime Minister if there would be a meeting to discuss the issue:
“So will the Prime Minister meet on this, virtually, with a small group of MPs, including the Conservative Chair of the Culture Select Committee. We are all singing from the same song sheet, will he please say yes to the meeting?”
The Prime Minister agreed to the meeting, assuring that he understands how the issue is “extremely important,” and that he knows “our friends in the EU will be wanting to go further to improve things.”
Act now to protect the music you love
Ever since the result of the referendum in 2016, the MU has campaigned and lobbied for a Musicians’ Passport that would allow our members and their support crew to make a successful living across Europe.
Over 111,000 people have signed our petition calling on the Government and Parliament to back a musician’s passport.
Add your voice to the call and sign the petition now.