I really think you're misunderstanding what this is all about. The Lords have asked for the Article 50 legislation to include an amendment stating that EU citizens currently resident in the UK will be allowed to remain. The government don't want to enshrine that in law, because we haven't (not for want of trying) got agreement from the EU that that courtesy would also be extended to UK citizens resident in the EU. It seems totally fair enough to me. Nobody is being used as a bargaining chip, it's simply a tit-for-tat agreement which is for the best for everyone involved, but Merkel and Junker won't discuss until Article 50 is invoked, therefore we quite simply cannot enshrine our part in UK law, or we are deserting our own citizens in the EU and leaving them at the mercy of whatever the EU choose to do to them.

If I were a UK citizen in the EU, I'd want to be reassured that my government is looking out for my interests.

Which shows we are on a hiding to nothing and will cut off our (collective) noses to spite our face.

I still think a lot of people (who voted leave) are going to be very disappointed when Brexit occurs.

Which goes to prove the big powers in Europe are trying to flex their collective muscles...in a desperate attempt to keep the whole thing together,they know darn well that if we get what we want....others will follow.
And their nice little perks and pensions will go Tits up.meaning they might have to get jobs in the real world.
And they wouldn't last five minutes....to to be honest I don't think any politician would.

always a Norwood boy, where ever I live.

Only if it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. An unworkable compromise as a result of too much influence from people who are dying to say "I told you so".

I'm not sure people want to say I told you so. I for one want it to work.

I do think it will go tits up though. I hope I'm wrong.