GWYNEDD Council will debate calls for Welsh and UK residents to be given the choice of maintaining their EU citizenship even after Britain leaves the European Union.

A meeting of Gwynedd’s full council on Thursday will debate a motion by the Plaid Cymru ruling group, calling for support in a bid to press for Welsh European citizenship during the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

Cllr Judith Humphreys, who represents Penygroes, pointed out that Gwynedd was one of five Welsh counties to vote for ‘remain’ in the 2016 referendum.

“From my discussions with electors, friends and colleagues living in Gwynedd, we want the right to continue as EU citizens, giving us the right to make decisions as individuals living in Gwynedd whether we want to travel, work, or study anywhere within the European Union,” she said.

“It would also give us rights to continue to access health, education and work opportunities. There is a real concern that we may lose these rights, if we do not put pressure on Westminster Government now.”

“In my opinion, this right is a core value of our European identity. Do our children, the next generation, have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and their life chances by continuing as European citizens, as well as retaining important rights that protect them at the moment?”

“I feel that the voice of Gwynedd people and other areas similar to ours is not being heard during the ongoing discussions about Brexit.

The calls are being supported by Plaid MEP, Jill Evans, who recently published a special report created by Professor Volker Roeben from Swansea University, ‘The Feasibility of Associate Citizenship of the European Union for UK Citizens after Brexit.’

Among the conclusions of the study, it is stated that there is no legal reason why the people of Wales, Ireland, Scotland or England cannot continue as European citizens if ‘Associate Citizenship’ status is introduced.

The study also states that the citizenship of the UK is flexible and a core principle is that people should not lose their citizenship against their will.

Last year, Brexit Secretary David Davis MP said that he would “look at” such proposals that would allow UK nationals to opt-in and keep their European Union citizenship after Brexit, also allowing Brits to keep the right to live and work in the EU.

Cllr Humphreys added, “The study also states that with devolution in the UK it brings responsibilities to devolved governments, such as the Welsh Government, to protect European citizenship. So the Labour party in Cardiff also has a responsibility to act on this issue.”

A Plaid Cymru motion on the issue was recently debated in the Commons, with other party figures including the SNP’s Ian Blackford, Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, Caroline Lucas of the Green Party all publicly supporting calls for home nations EU citizenship.

The motion will be discussed by the full council in Caernarfon on Thursday, May 3.