Gransnet forums

News & politics

Blue Passport

(121 Posts)
vampirequeen Sat 23-Dec-17 13:42:07

Some people are celebrating the 'return of their identity' because the UK Passport is changing back to blue. I don't have a passport. Does this mean that I don't have an identity? Do I actually exist? hmm

allule Sun 24-Dec-17 15:37:34

The infuriating thing is, that when everyone is talking about the importance of healing the divisions in the country, and trying to curb the spread of hatred, Theresa May should have thought it a good idea to stir up more dissent, quite unnecessarily

jimmyRFU Sun 24-Dec-17 15:40:25

Its nice that we are getting a British passport back. I've got my second adult one last year after 30 plus years. I'm not bothered about its colour. Just when can I get to use my new one.

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 16:03:30

Where will you be headed?

Jalima1108 Sun 24-Dec-17 16:10:02

I thought I'd just look for mine because, although it says European Union in smaller letters, I am sure it says UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND in very large capitals with the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom on the front.
Couldn't look more British really, red, blue or sky blue pink.

Except that I can't find it [panic]

Granny23 Sun 24-Dec-17 16:25:53

It has been my lifelong wish to have a Scottish Passport - saltire blue of course - but time marches on and I doubt if I will last long enough to have one sad

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 16:59:14

Just done the same Jalima (I found it ...) and it does indeed.

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 17:37:04

Many have blue passports in the UK, apart from Pets -

refugees -and now EU stamp either. That will please the Kippers no end ;)

willsmadnan Sun 24-Dec-17 18:14:48

I carried my passport every day as we are required to do when living in other European countries. I quite like the fact that it will be reverting to dark blue, but thankfully not as bulky as the pre-EU one. What I really like about my passport, be it red or blue, is that it says "Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may" be necessary . I'm quite sure some of the bolshie lot on here will scoff.... but scoff away! I travel extensively and those words are a comfort. Do feel free to call me naive, as I'm sure you will?

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 18:25:19

I certainly won't scoff - but does the small EU logo at the top detract from that?

Sadly, Brexit will make the 'pass freely and without let or hindrance' a thing os the past.

suzied Sun 24-Dec-17 18:32:27

John Simpson, the journalist, uses his Irish passport for all the “wild and woolly places” where the UK is an enemy or where there is a risk of kidnap. The Irish government would be much more likely to “see a PR advantage in trying to get me out,” he says. “I think the UK government would be glad to demonstrate their toughness and then no doubt send a junior minister to my funeral.” Not sure if all those promises on the passport are genuine.

petra Sun 24-Dec-17 18:42:59

Willsmadnan
Like you we have travelled extensively. We once had the joy of pointing that ( Her Majesty etc) to a very nasty border guard in Macedonia. He soon changed his tune grin

jimmyRFU Sun 24-Dec-17 19:10:37

Can't fly - hubby too scared to will be coach over the channel.

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 19:23:43

as we do too on a regular basis.

But, please, could you explain what difference does that make re your passport (whatever the colour)? They do check at the Ferry and Tunnel too ?!?

willsmadnan Sun 24-Dec-17 19:31:08

Why should Brexit stop me from passing freely without let or hindrance, as long as I present myself, avec passport, at border checks? Did it in the 60s, 70s and 80s so why should it be any different in 2020? God, there's some right Jonas on herehmm

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 20:02:11

Did anyone say you wouldn't be able to travel?

But be prepared to very much longer queues. For one, many more are travelling now then in the 60s ...and queues are much much longer for non EU, in the EU - simple- and checks much more thorough and lenghty in that queue- have you never noticed?

As for ferry and Tunnel- the massive areas for checks in Calais, where you go through both French and UK border checks - the UK won't be allowed to do checks on that side.

If you have ever been to Dover, you may be aware the geography is VERY different on that side - and that there are some cliffs around - shall we get rid of Dover Cliffs to accommodate border checks and 'get our Sovereignty back' - oh my, oh the irony.

willsmadnan Sun 24-Dec-17 20:07:48

Of course I've been to Dover FCS! . How the hell do you think I went backwards and forwards to France for over 20 years. You're not the only one to have lived in Europe * Jura2*.

petra Sun 24-Dec-17 20:37:32

Queues don't bother me at all. We put the kettle on, put the satellite dish up, and watch some telly grin

jura2 Sun 24-Dec-17 21:39:50

so willsmadnan - where do you imagine they will put the border checks that are currently in at Calais? As said, shall be get rid of the cliffs - what would our Vera say?

petra - what a selfish reply. We travel with animals and small children and not everyone has a mobile home, do they?!? What about lorry drivers with live animals and frozen or perishable foods.

At airports we will be queuing with long queues of people who need visas a and other documents, which can take a LOT of time. Are you sure we will be able to sit comfortably and put t'kettle on and watch Goggle box or Benidorm?

AlisonKF Mon 25-Dec-17 00:50:33

I will be applying for an Irish passport to go with my burgundy one. I think it may be green. Now I can go through the fast gates when travelling to see my sister in Ireland.

WilmaKnickersfit Mon 25-Dec-17 01:58:22

If you're a British citizen living in an EU country, do you have to have a current passport? Some people have lived abroad for so long their passport may have expired.

suzied Mon 25-Dec-17 06:02:40

Many EU countries have ID cards. In Italy you are supposed to carry it around with you. Once we were asked for ID in Italy by the police when we were with my brother( who lives there) in a random check. We didn’t have anything, but my OH showed them his Oyster card. They weren’t impressed.

jura2 Mon 25-Dec-17 09:43:40

ID cards are the norm throughout Europe- Switzerland included. So all have an ID card, and some have a passport.
British citizens living in France, unless they have taken French nationality, can't have either- and have, by Law, to always have ID with them- so have to carry their passport.

jura2 Mon 25-Dec-17 09:46:15

Their 'Carte de Séjour' should actually be ok.

Nelliemoser Mon 25-Dec-17 12:12:04

This says a lot. Why on earth are people asking to spend so much money on changing the colour of of a passport.

Tegan2 Mon 25-Dec-17 14:08:05

grin...