Published
Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 11:05
- The aim is to secure a free, cultural work permit for touring professionals.
Nearly 200,000 people have signed a petition demanding visa-free travel throughout the European Union for UK-based artists and professionals.
Set up by video director Tim Brennan, the online petition specifically requests that the UK government negotiate a free, cultural work permit to allow UK-based professionals to perform in EU states. It comes just days before the UK is due to leave the EU single market and customs union.
Once the UK ends its current Brexit transition period, artists will "face further hardship when trying to tour the EU on a professional basis, with potentially each country asking for its own visa, that would be valid only for one trip," the petition reads. "This will become impossible due to cost and time if we do not have visa-free travel."
Having amassed more than 190,000 signatures—including Alexander Nut, Om Unit, Surgeon and Strategy—the petition will now be considered for debate in parliament. This morning, Tim Brennan tweeted that he has a "meeting scheduled today [December 30th] to discuss the petition."
Sign the petition, and read some responses from the electronic music community and beyond.
Photo credit: Roger Harris