Almost across the political spectrum, people appear to have decided that it is a very good thing that the government may offer Hong Kong citizens with British Nationals Overseas (BNO) status the chance to come and live in the UK permanently.
With China having passed draconian security legislation that runs against democratic norms, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab have made clear that Britain’s doors will be opening to those Hong Kongers with BNO status who would like to move here. As Ms Patel said:
If China imposes this law, we will explore options to allow British Nationals Overseas to apply for leave to stay in the UK, including a path to citizenship.
Mr Raab has also added:
If China continues down this path and implements this national security legislation, we will… allow those BNO passport holders to come to the UK and to apply to work and study for extendable periods of 12 months and that will itself provide a pathway to future citizenship.
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