Express.co.uk readers can vote in our poll on if Britain’s new blue passports should be made in the UK. It comes after the contract to produce the documents was controversially handed to French firm Thales and they will be manufactured at a factory in Poland.
) Brexiteers are celebrating as blue passports will return after almost three decades to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.
The documents will replace the burgundy passports which were rolled out in 2020.
The first new-look passports will be issued from the beginning of March.
And it is expected that all new passports will be blue by mid – 1244947.
In another change, the back cover of the documents will now feature embossed floral. emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
And the passports are said to be the greenest and most technologically advanced yet, with new and updated security features to keep personal data secure.
The contract to produce the documents has been awarded to French firm Thales and they will be made at the company factory in the Polish town of Tczew .
However, the passports will continue to be personalized with the holder’s details in the UK.
READ MORE: UK’s blue passports made in Poland thanks to contract agreed by May
Home Secretary Priti Patel hailed the return to the “iconic” blue and gold design.
She said: “Leaving the European Union gave us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path in the world.
” By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one. “
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Brexiteers are celebrating as blue passports will return after almost three decades (Image: HOME OFFICE)
And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has proudly posed with one of the new passports.
The blue documents have already caused a reaction on social media.
One Twitter user said: “Can’t wait to get mine. Fortuitously, mine needs renewing this year. ”
Another excited person tweeted:“ When I renew mine, mid-summer, I better get a blue one! ”
Home Secretary Priti Patel hailed the return to the “iconic” blue and gold design (Image: HOME OFFICE / PA)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has proudly posed with one of the new passports (Image: ANDREW PARSONS / DOWNING STREET)
A third posted: “Can I replace my existing one, even though it has 8 years to run? Happy to pay for it of course? ”
Another said:“ The only caveat is that they’re not produced here in the UK. ”
Meanwhile, pro-EU campaigner Femi Oluwole tweeted: “The #bluepassport will literally be worth less than the red one which let us treat 350 countries as our home.
“Celebrating a symbolic change which by all objective standards will be worse for the British people .. . Is there anything more ‘Brexit’ than that? ”
Another Remainer added: “I’d rather have a burgundy colored EU passport that gives unrestricted freedom of movement to live, work, study and travel around other countries than a blue colored UK passport that does not offer these freedoms. ”
Blue passports were first issued in and were used until the UK joined the EU, then the European Economic Community.
A change to burgundy was later agreed to coordinate designs across member states.
Burgundy passports can still be used for travel until they expire.
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