Honours for Co-Chairs and Recognition of BiE's Work

We are delighted to announce that both Jane Golding and Fiona Godfrey have been awarded OBE's in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours:

Jane Golding: Co-Chair, British in Europe & Chair, British in Germany. For services to UK Nationals in Europe.

Fiona Godfrey: Co-Chair, British in Europe. For services to UK Nationals in Europe.

"We are very happy to accept this honour today because we know that the nomination came primarily from the people whose rights we have been fighting for since 2017, UK nationals in Europe. We also know that, rather than being personal and individual, it is public recognition of the work that everyone in British in Europe, and particularly our steering team, has done on their behalf. Through his Votes for Life campaign, Harry Shindler has shown us how important recognition like this in the UK is when campaigning for the rights of British citizens abroad, and we will follow his example and keep speaking truth to power.

So, today we accept these honours as Co-Chairs of BiE on behalf of everyone on our amazing steering committee, as well as of all the committed individuals in our country groups, who have gone far beyond the call of duty in giving so much of their own time and energy to help other British citizens who did not have a political voice during and post the UK Brexit referendum.

Finally, this honour is also for our families and, particularly, our spouses and children, André, Max, Anna, Miguel, Lucas and Saskia. We could not have fought for the rights of UK citizens across the EEA and Switzerland for so long without their love, understanding and support. They make everything we do possible."

We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Michael Harris (Eurocitizens) and Debbie Williams (BHOV) who, until recently, represented their groups on the BiE steering committee and received MBEs.

We also send our warm congratulations to Harry Shindler who was awarded and OBE having worked tirelessly for many years for the rights of UK citizens abroad and to restore the right to vote to them.