LONDON (AP) – Dozens of UK music stars, including Elton John, Ed Sheeran and conductor Simon Rattle, say the musicians have been “shamefully failed” by the British government, which has left them facing post-Brexit restrictions to do tours in the European Union.
In a letter published on Wednesday in the Times of London, more than 100 musicians, including Sting, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Roger Daltrey of The Who, along with heads of major artistic institutions, said the new UK- EU which entered into force in January. 1 has “a hole where the movement promised to musicians should be”.
Britain’s withdrawal from the EU means that British citizens can no longer live and work freely in the 27-nation bloc. Tourists do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, and some short business trips are also allowed. But artists and musicians were not included in the deal.
Britain and the EU disagree about who is to blame for the omission, each accusing the other of rejecting a deal for touring artists.
The new rules mean that UK artists have to comply with different rules in the 27 EU nations, negotiating visas for musicians and permits for their equipment. Many say that costs and bureaucracy will make it impossible for British artists to perform on the continent, jeopardizing the country’s status as a cultural powerhouse.
The musicians’ letter said the new expenses and bureaucracy will make “many tours unfeasible, especially for young emerging musicians who are already struggling to keep their heads above water due to COVID’s ban on live music”.
Scottish National Party lawmaker Pete Wishart, a former member of the rock band Runrig, said on Tuesday in the House of Commons that musicians and artists were “mere collateral in this government’s obsession with ending freedom of movement” and controlling immigration when he left the EU.
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage acknowledged that the situation is “incredibly disappointing”, but said “the door is open” for talks with the EU about an agreement for musicians. She resisted calls from the opposition to publish details of the proposals made by the United Kingdom during negotiations that the bloc allegedly rejected.
___
Follow all the AP stories about Brexit developments at https://apnews.com/Brexit.