Romford MP in call for return of the Great British blue passport

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell has called for a return to the old blue passport (Image: PA/Press Association Images)

Andrew Rosindell was delighted when Britain voted to leave the European Union in June and has now joined calls for the blue passport to return as a sign of Britain’s independence.

The blue cover was updated to burgundy in 1988. The new look passports also began to have European Community – now European Union – embossed on the front.

Mr Rosindell told the Recorder the campaign was a question of restoring the nation’s identity.

He said: “It’s about returning to the classic British passport.

“I remember when it changed and people were very upset. I still have my blue passport somewhere at home.”

Mr Rosindell was keen to stress that reverting to the blue passport would not impact on residents’ freedom to travel.

He said: “The blue covers would show that we have a special status, but it doesn’t alter how we could travel. The only difference would be that we would be travelling on a British passport.”

Mr Rosindell would also like to see the European Union flag removed from licence plates and British embassies around the world.

He said: “It’s about national identity, and we need to have one that reflects that we have left.

“I think there are a lot of things that could be changed.

“We can make our own decisions now, and can take down the EU flag in embassies. We could fly another flag instead, maybe for the Commonwealth.”

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said: “There are no immediate plans for changes to the format or colour of the UK passport. Parliament will be informed of any changes to the passport following UK withdrawal from the European Union.”