Post-Brexit, UK passport to turn blue

Major issues about the United Kingdom leaving the European Union remain unresolved – some insist it may not happen – but the Theresa May government has already announced that the colour of the British passport will change from burgundy to blue.

If all goes well in Brexit-related talks in Brussels, the process will be completed by March 29, 2019. The new blue British passports will be issued from October 2019, removing the words “European Union”, currently at the top of the travel document.

The home office said on Friday: “After Brexit, the UK travel document will no longer be required to conform to EU standards. So in a move to symbolise our national identity, the cover will be changing from the standard EU burgundy colour to a blue and gold design.”

Officials said that the new passport will be one of the most secure travel documents in the world, with a raft of new and updated security features and technologies to protect against fraud and forgery. The current paper-based picture page is to be replaced with a new, super-strength plastic polycarbonate material that will be more difficult to alter.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said: “Leaving the EU gives us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path for ourselves in the world. That is why I am delighted to announce that the British passport will be returning to the iconic blue and gold design after we have left the European Union in 2019.”

The blue cover is a return to the original appearance of the British passport, with the colour first used in 1921. It remained the colour of choice until the UK joined the EU and the burgundy common format colour was agreed and adopted.