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Govt dug in heels re. EU touring visas yesterday. Arts minister @cj_dinenage told Commons that EU proposals were “simply not compatible with our manifesto to take back control of our borders."
Govt refused to agree deal. As a result, musicians and other touring artists “will be required to check domestic immigration and minister rules for each member states in which they wish to tour”, said @cj_dinenage. So, as artists feared, visas & carnets will be needed to tour.
The ‘urgent question’ was posed by ex-Runrig star @PeteWishart MP in Commons, whilst composer @MichaelBerkele2 asked similar question about visas in Lords, got similar response.
Meanwhile, over 100 British musicians - incl @eltonofficial @NickyBenedetti @coldplay @SirSimonRattle @radiohead - have accused Govt of “shamefully failing” performers in letter to @thetimes
This is a key moment for live music & performing arts. Will be far more bureaucratically complicated, and way more expensive, for all UK artists to tour EU countries under the Brexit deal.
And - as the Brexit deal controls two-way traffic - will also mean fewer touring musicians, bands, orchestras, dance & theatre companies coming to UK from EU.
Brexit deal stifles creativity and the sharing of culture across borders.
Brexit deal stifles creativity and the sharing of culture across borders.
