Inventor sparks free movement campaign

And as the EU is not a government it cannot dispense sovereignty or nationality so anyone applying to the European Commission for European citizenship would be disappointed.

But, there is ray of hope for those concerned about freedom of movement in the EU.

A little-known EU rule which allows any citizen to present new legislation has been exploited by Glyn Hughes, a 57 year-old engineering designer from Winster.

Glyn has launched a campaign which seeks to give European citizens the right to apply for an EU passport.

And his European Citizens’ Initiative now has one year to collect at least one million supportive signatures from at least seven different member states.

Glyn, of Main Street, Winster, said: “As an inventor I know that the European Standards have made products lot a better than they used to be.

“And the genius of the European Standards are that as a European inventor and citizen I can held be responsible for and certify my products but if I am not a European citizen I can no longer do this.”

Another problem Glyn faces is that increased paperwork and bureaucracy such as having to apply for visas before travelling will make it much harder to sort problems out quickly with suppliers or factories in continental Europe.

Glyn is launching his campaign in partnership with Sue Wilson, chairwoman of campaign group, Bremain in Spain, and colleagues from Ireland, Poland, Germany and across Europe and has already collected more than 15,000 votes from across Europe.

If Glyn and his colleagues secure one million votes the European Commission will have to react within three months. It can then decide either to approve or not approve the request but in both instances would be required to explain its reasoning.

To have your say in the referendum visit www.choosefreedom.eu.