My wife and I both moved to Spain in 2005 so currently we should be able to vote in May but for future elections we will be 'locked out' unless this ruling is changed. We both take a keen interest in happenings in the UK and would like to feel we shall still have some minor say in the running of the country of our birth and where we lived (& paid taxes) for decadez.
stuart - 11 years ago
stuart
Oeps,
sorry, some corrections to my grammar and spelling
Have read the following article in the 'Dutch News' newspaper.
Under the title of 'So just how many expats are there in the Netherlands?'
the link is: DutchNews.nl Friday and Saturdays issue
Makes interesting reading as even the Dutch are pushing hard to get the vote for their ex-countrymen and women.
Emphasising the fact that there are more advantages to giving their own people the vote than denying them it.
They are pushing HARD to have representation and the backing from at least two or more of the political parties that we have here in the Netherlands could prove to very critical indeed.
Please read the associated articles as they may have items that they are using and we have not considered or have used in a different manner to get the point over to the Politicians that don't care about our plight!! Stuart
stuart - 11 years ago
Have read the following article in the 'Dutch News' newspaper.
Under the title of 'So just how many expats are there in the Netherlands?'
the link is: DutchNews.nl Friday and Saturdays issue
Makes interesting reading as even the Dutch are pushing hard to get the vote for their ex-countrymen and women.
Emphasising the fact there are more advantages to give their own people the vote than denying them it. They are pushing HARD to have representation and the backing from at least two if not more parties that we have here in the Netherlands will prove to very critical indeed.
Please read the associated articles as they may items they we are not using or use in a different manner to get the point over to the Politicians that don't care about our plight!! Stuart
Paul - 11 years ago
Thailand
Richard Quick - 11 years ago
My wife and I have lived in Spain since October 2000 if this bill goes through this will be our last year of being able to vote in England.The Spanish Govt will not allow us a national vote so we are effectively disenfranchised from 2015.
Stefan - 11 years ago
I have lived in Italy since 1979. It's time to change this ridiculous 15 year rule and give us Brits the right to vote in the UK.
Alexandra - 11 years ago
I live in America.
rachel - 11 years ago
Currently working as an International Civil Servant in an Organisation which is funded by its Member States, of which the UK is one and having done so now for 15 years (resident in France) I am no longer permitted to vote in UK elections, despite the fact that the UK Government has a direct impact on my life and place of work. This has to be changed so that expats are able to take an active role in British politics.
Peter Courtney-Green - 11 years ago
I live in Luxembourg, where my Luxembourg generated pension is taxed at a rate determined by my global income, which is effectively a second tax on my UK pensions that have already been taxed at source. I've lived here for 22 years so I pay tax in the UK but have no vote and pay a double tax in Luxembourg, where I can only vote in local elections. Seriously considering chaining myself to front door of commune on UK election day to register my protest.
Marcus - 11 years ago
Thailand
Peter Kilinc - 11 years ago
Germany
May Posse - 11 years ago
I have lived abroad for nearly 40 years but I am still British with my British passport and I think it's VERY unfair that I can't vote. I take a very great interest in what's going on in MY country and I get so annoyed that I can't vote!
Josephine Kalinauckas - 11 years ago
I have lived in Belgium for several years and can only vote in municipal and european elections. Like many of the other people who have commented, I take a keen interest in UK politics and feel quite powerless since I cannot add my voice to counter some of the disturbing issues coming up in UK politics today: rising poverty, anti immigration and anti EU sentiment to name a few.
Tony Evans - 11 years ago
I have lived in Thailand for nearly 19 years but still take a big interest in the UK.
I would vote if I was allowed to. I am a 'frozen' pensioner but still pay income tax to the UK but feel ignored by my country of birth.
Linda Theis - 11 years ago
I live in France
Mavis Rutherford - 11 years ago
i live in France
Simon - 11 years ago
Portugal
Robert Wilkinson - 11 years ago
"No representation without taxation" but how would the Government like it if we started applying that principle the other way around?
Daphne Franklin-White - 11 years ago
I agree with how Mr Leonard Harvey feels. Because I've voted on this online petition my husband is unable to do so which is grossly unfair.
With regard to withdrawel of the Winter Fuel Allowance: we live in Burgundy where the winter temperatures drop from between -10°c and -12°c and can sometimes go as low as -20°c. In the winter of 2011/12 the temperature dropped to -25°c!
How can winter temperatures in France possibly be classified as warmer than the UK?
Patricia Donnelly - 11 years ago
I am British and have lived in France since 1981. I think it is appalling that British citizens lose their right to vote after living 15 years outside the country. This must change!
Barry McCanna - 11 years ago
I live in France, and want to continue to be able to exercise my constitutional right to vote, which has now lapsed.
Roger Pickering - 11 years ago
British and living in The Netherlands which gives the vote to all its citizens, even those no longer living in NL.
If this were ever standardised across the EU, that is how it would have to be done.
Amanda - 11 years ago
Resident in France. I am a UK citizen who retains a house in the UK and am liable to pay tax in the UK as well as in France. If the UK wishes to be considered a democratic country then it should not deny its citizens the right to vote. No taxation without representation.
Malcolm Macpherson - 11 years ago
I am a Brit retired in the Philippines. I receive my UK pension and should have the right to vote in UK elections, as the government in power makes decisions that affects the UK economy and consequently pensions, therefore I should have the right to vote for the party that I feel will be the most beneficial for the country.
Maggie - 11 years ago
When qualified as teachers my cohort was encouraged to work abroad as"Britain's unseen export".During my career I have paid in to both the professional pension scheme and national insurance and receive my pensions taxed and in GBPS. We maintained a family home in UK for all of our overseas working life but this did not give our daughter the same rights as British students living in the UK. We voted in every national election for the first fifteen years and feel that it is not just to deprive us of the right to vote in support of the European option something we have always believed in and the outcome of which could affect us crucially as retired professionals living in France.
Ken Collins - 11 years ago
My wife & I are resident in France; we have lived & worked overseas sence 1983, so we have lost the postal vote some time ago. It is highly irksome that other countries retain voting rights for their non-resident citizens but UK does not, subject to the 15 year rule. The last time we voted in a UK election was in 1997. Now we are faced with the possibility of a referendum on Britian's membership of the EU & have no say in something that may affect our lives in France due to a narrow-minded definition of the franchise.
All our income being mainly pensions is derived from UK & taxed at source in accordance with British taxation laws; we also declare our income in Frace & are taxed here too despite the double taxation agreement as there have been changes to French law. However, the main point is that we are British taxpayers & have no say in how our taxes are spent. Indeed, as your other correspondents have commented, there should be 'No taxation without representation'.
Our main focus apart from the taxation issue now is the possible referendum on EU membership. It is iniquitous that we who will be affected directly have been deprived of voting rights. I have written to 10 Downing Street about this & there is correspondence available from the Cabinet Office - basically to the effect that there are no plans to change the current legislation. Therefore, I am delighted to contribute my thoughts to a pressure group whose aim is to achieve a change in UK legislation to allow us to participate in key decisions. We may be resident outside UK (& in EU) but we remain domiciled in UK. We have the absolute right to go back there at any time, so why should we not retain a UK franchise in common with so many other western democracies?
Hugh Chetwynd - 11 years ago
Live in France
sausages - 11 years ago
It is obviously very wrong for expats to be deprived of the right to vote in national elections both in their home country and in their country of residence. Some women in Britain gave up their lives, or were tortured in prison, in their fight to obtain universal suffrage. I live in France and have been unable to vote in national elections for the last 28 years. Even my attempts to vote by proxy during my first 15 years as an expat came to nothing.
Martin McMillan - 11 years ago
I'm British and have lived in France since 1995. It's unfair that I can no longer vote in UK parliamentary elections. It's still my country and I should have my say in who governs it. Other countries in Europe allow their citizens to vote irrespective of where they live or how long they have lived there (eg France). The UK should do the same. In terms of voting in national elections, I am now disenfranchised.
Julia - 11 years ago
I haven't been able to vote in any country for all my adult life (from 18 to 57). I currently live in Greece.
It seems that democracy has gone out of the window as far as the UK is concerned. Other European countries encourage their expat citizens to vote. Britain is not the ''mother of democracy'', it seems it is not even the "embryo of democracy". Mr. Cameron, "Give us our right to vote !!"
Derek Rouse - 11 years ago
Lived in Rance for 18 years. Can't see any logical breason for the 15 year rule - all we ex pats have connections- family/pension etc - many atill pay tax in the UK. In my region I would say that the majority would vote Conservative given the chance, so in fact it would benefit the present government to allow us to vote !
Peter Bagshaw - 11 years ago
Resident in Ireland
Jon - 11 years ago
I've been living on the continent - mostly in France - for the last 25 years. Why is Britain one of the few countries to deprive its citizens of their democratic rights in this way?
Tom Fisher - 11 years ago
I've spent the last 18 years in Portugal, Uruguay and now Belgium. I was born in the UK, and lived there until I was 21. I feel like a foreigner not being able to vote in a country that is mine and I love. I even had a UK diplomat telling me I'm not really British!
Charles Maltman - 12 years ago
I live in France but I do not see why I should be regarded as having given up my rights as a UK citizen.
Bruno Auer - 12 years ago
I moved to France in 1999 and so will miss out on the opportunity to vote in the 2015 general election in the UK. This is intensely frustrating, as I voted in the last UK election. I was born and brought up in the UK, all of my family are in the UK, and as an English teacher here in France, I spend much of my professional life teaching students about life in the UK. How can it be argued that I have cut all ties with my country?
Lily West - 12 years ago
I'm a British woman, living in Japan for more than 40 years. Since I'm not a Japanese citizen, I have no voting rights here, even though I'm a permanent resident. Nor can I vote in Britain. In fact I've never had the right to vote anywhere. People tell me how good this democracy system is. Maybe so, but I will never know until I am allowed to try it. Until then I will continue to be a second-class British citizen!
I travel a lot in somewhat dodgy areas of Africa. Should I ever be taken hostage (hopefully not!), I doubt if my captors would understand that I am in no way responsible for the acts of the British government since I cannot vote them either in or out!
Strange that the government is able unilaterally to disenfranchise some of its citizens just because they live in another country. Surely this is undemocratic!
S List - 12 years ago
I live in Germany, and will have no vote in any national elections in any country after the 15 year period. With the internet and cheap travel, we stay far more closely in touch than previous generations did. Many of us remain undecided where we will spend our retirement, and still have a strong interest in the UK.
Bob scott - 12 years ago
Lived in Greece now for 17 years and look forward to a change in the UK law.
Mike - 12 years ago
I'm Scottish by birth, lived and worked in Continental Europe since 1986 and have just found I am no longer allowed to register for a vote because its been more that 15 years since I last lived there. However if there is a YES vote in the Scottish referendum I will automatically become Scottish according to this >> http://scotreferendum.com/questions/what-different-routes-to-citizenship-will-exist-under-the-scottish-governments-proposals-and-who-will-qualify-for-these/
Mike - 12 years ago
Portugal
DP - 12 years ago
I live in Norway. I can vote in all other elections, but I am not "allowed" to have a say on whether Scotland, the country I call home when I am not working, leaves the UK. I am furious about this.
David John Phillips - 12 years ago
I've lived on and off in Canada since 1974. I return to the UK fairly often and live there (London) part time still, I voted in the last general election whilst at home in London so I'm not sure if new legislation effects me or not. Either way there's no doubt that British citizens should have the right to vote no matter how long they've been absent from the country, we're British after all.
Angela - 12 years ago
My husband and I have lived in Spain for 9 years we are British subjects and believe that we should have the right to vote especially on matters that will have huge implications for us living here in Spain . There should be no reason why as a British Subject we should not be allowed to open a different bank account for instance, just because we choose to live outside of the UK . We still need to have a UK bank account for my husbands occupational pension to be paid in to and for visits to the UK . We are British and it should be our entitlement , we feel we are being discriminated .
On the subject of the vote to stay in the EU this is a major concern for us and will have huge implications if Britain comes out of the EU , mainly health care and losing our Tax allowance. To be taxed on our state and private pensions would be disgraceful having worked all our lives and paid our taxes . Just because we choose to live in a warmer climate and that we have worked hard and contributed all our lives to be able to do so we should not be penalised.
Karen Whittle - 12 years ago
I live in Italy and have just lost my right to vote in the UK but still feel very much a Brit and indeed affected by what goes on at home. As expressed in various other comments, the inability to counter the anti-EU sentiment rife in my home country through my vote is frustrating to say the least and potentially damaging to my and other expats' lives as well as to the future freedom of movement of fellow Brits. As for the so-called apathy among British expats vis-à-vis their right to vote considering the low numbers registered to do so, may it be that many are not aware of this right?
Moved to Sweden aged 22 in 1983, been here ever since. Like most other ex-pats I'm eligible to vote in Swedish municipal and county level elections, but not to parliament. I only voted once in the UK, having only been of voting age for 4 years prior to turning my back to what Thatcher was causing.
Nicholas RHODES - 12 years ago
In France since 1982 ...........
This is basically all the fault of the European Community - they should already allow residents from other EC countries to vote in the elections of the country where they live, work and pay tax. This is not the case, except for municipal and european elections but of course that doesn't prevent them from being more than happy to gobble up the tax you pay - how this subject could never have been addressed since the EC exists just beats me. Even more disgusted to discover recently that UK citizens out of the UK for more than 15 years couldn't vote there either. So just where can you vote ? This is hardly an example of democracy for the rest of the world. As far as I know, French citizens abroad still have the right of vote in France so why doesn't the UK do the same ? But beyond that, I think that there should be one global rule for all the EC countries and they must all sign up to across-the-EC voting rights or quite simply forfeit membership of the said community.
Martin - 12 years ago
Moved to Thailand in 2009.
Not yet affected by the 15-year rule but, under that legislation, I will be affected one day not-too-far-off.
I tried to register to vote by proxy in recent Euro elections - snail mail is a waste of a good vote because not enough time is allowed between sending out of ballot papers and the voting date - I seem to remember a period of 4 days!! Anyhow, my proxy vote wasn't allowed because, although my papers were with the authorities in my last UK constituency well before cut-off date, their admin. processes meant that the Register of Electors was not updated immediately - the next update was after the election.
Voting in person at Embassies/Consulates should be allowed.
Rick W - 12 years ago
Lived in the US for 15 years but still have a vested interest in the politics of the UK as it is the land of my birth, and where my family still resides. I feel I should have the right to let my opinion be voiced, even if my one vote I'm sure won't ever tip the balance of power one way of the other, but you never know...
I would like my voice to be heard and my vote registered in the country to which I may return one day.
jennifer - 12 years ago
Been out of UK since 1990. Lived in Italy, India and now France. Voted once in UK general election of 1987 - never voted anywhere since as not eligible to vote in major elections in those countries I've lived in.
Ashley Roden-Bow - 12 years ago
Working in Estonia (and before that, Portugal) - working overseas for six years so far.
Ray - 12 years ago
I am resident in Singapore. We checked with our local council on our last trip back to the UK about the possibility of voting. It transpires that one can within the 15 years rule but however it has to be done by slow mail. Given that the voting paper is only sent out when the local council receives the voting paper and a strict time limit to return the voting paper by post there is no way it is possible to do so (unless you courier it back and even then it depends on when you receive it via the postal system)!!!
Jos Mottershead - 12 years ago
Having left the UK in 1981 to work overseas, I lost my ability to vote at that time. I certainly embraced living in my new locations and assimilated into the cultures of the countries - I would be hypocritical to denounce the loss of the British way of life to immigrant ways in the UK and then attempt to impinge the British ways on my adopted residences!! - but particularly as I get older, I get more "British" in my ways and thoughts (not that I was ever not particularly British!). I return to the UK multiple times each year, but retain my (now) residence in the USA (having lived previously in Canada). I would dearly love to be able to participate in the elections in the UK to hopefully assist in ensuring that Britain remains British, as well as guiding the country I love albeit from afar. Ironically, as a "legal alien" in the USA, I have no vote here, so essentially I am disenfranchised wherever I am!!
ROBERT (NELSON) - 12 years ago
I am a pensioner living and paying my taxes in Spain but as I devoted 22 years of my life to U.K. military service, followed by 20 years in the Civil Service, I still contribute taxes into the U.K. economy so, despite having lived here in Spain for 14 years, why should I be, at any time, be struck off the U.K. electoral roll? Have I and many like me, not, even after all that, earned the right to vote for who should make decisions which will affect our lives?
Alex Salmond, with the collusion of Mr Cameron, is holding HIS referendum and giving the vote to 16 year old kids! Well, I was a teenager in Scotland at one time and Mr S. has, by this action, knowingly enrolled his very own "Brown Shirts" brigade as there's no-one more nationalistic than a teenage Scot, believe me!
Spot the difference and note the duplicity of Mr Cameron!
Kathleen Scown - 12 years ago
I am resident in France and in receipt of Government Pension, so I pay taxes in UK. Therefore feel I have the right to vote. I also want to vote to keep the UK in the EU. I do not have French citizenship so am not entitled to vote in Government elections here in France
Andy - 12 years ago
Resident in Turkey
ROGER WEBB TOFT - 12 years ago
Response to Heather Attig's remarks I have just seen. I filled in the form in Brussels to vote in the European elections and explained the reason why I had no voting rights in my home country ( England ). This raised an eyebrow by way of comment in the school where the elections were being conducted - because, I think, the reason for being barred from British elections due living abroad to them sounded ludicrous. They promptly allowed me to vote, which I did for the candidate most likely to annoy Westminster.
Try again next time !
ROGER WEBB TOFT - 12 years ago
I left England to live in Paris in 1964. In 1966 I moved to Brussels where I have lived since. In those days, I seem to remember, anyone living outside Britain for above 5 years could not vote in elections there. Once they increased this time limit, it was too late for me. This has meant never, ever, have I been able to vote in a national election. I watch BBC 1 and BBC World news on TV, read the Guardian on Internet, and probably have a great more knowledge of what is happening in England than many registered voters have. This makes me regret I was not born in France where I would have had a much better education, a much better health service, and voting rights - not to mention the food and climate ! I also saw a New York Jew on TV saying '' I am going to vote in the Israeli goverment elections, and I have never even been to Israel ! The inescapable conclusion is Britain is not the ''mother of democracy'', another erroneous picture the country has of itself.
Annette - 12 years ago
I live in the United States, and am solely a British citizen. Arriving as a young person, I found the process for voting from overseas complicated, and I neglected to vote. I did not realize that this would lead me to lose the franchise for life. I am British, I visit annually for a month, and I want the door to remain open.
Claire Wilson - 12 years ago
Resident in France
Michael - 12 years ago
I live in Portugal and want to vote to keep the UK in the EU
Shân Williams - 12 years ago
I live in France and feel that it is very unfair that after 15 years abroad British Citizens are deprived of their vote. I don't mind whether I vote in general elections in the UK or France,but I should have a vote somewhere!
David Crockett - 12 years ago
I retired to Spain after more than 25 years working in the Netherlands.
I am indifferent to the fate of the UK, and believe that the EU would be far better off without it forever moaning on the side-lines. However, I also find it appalling that two million people unfortunate enough to live in other EU countries while being British citizens will not have a say in a referendum that could dramatically and adversely disrupt their lives.
Talbot Austin - 12 years ago
France.
J. A. Bosworth - 12 years ago
I live in Switzerland and cannot vote because I have been abroad for more than 15 years. As a British national and former professional soldier who served my country (mostly abroad) for 24 years, however, whose entire income is derived from and taxed in the UK, who still keeps in contact with a large number of family members and friends in the UK - and who also keeps abreast of whatever is happening in Britain through the wonders of modern communications (TV, radio and telephony) technologies - I demand the right to vote in UK National (not Local) Elections and Referenda, because I remain a loyal British national, (and also a Citizen of the EU), no matter where I happen to be living. That many thousands of Britons are deliberately denied the right to vote is a shameful national scandal perpetuated by MPs and Peers who are too interested in their own careers to bother about the fundamental democratic principle of Universal Adult Suffrage, despite the provisions of the UN Charter on Human Rights and the EU's electoral rules.
Paul Samengo-Turner - 12 years ago
I live in Berlin, Germany. It seems extraordinary that in the European Union there are two classes of citizen...those that can vote in their country of citizenship and those that cannot. Surely the EU should guarantee universal suffrage to its European citizens.
Doreen MacLeod - 12 years ago
I live in the USA, but I never became an American Citizen. I still carry a British Passport. If I could I would vote yes for Scottish Independence, but because of the 15 year rule, that right is denied to me.
Rosemarie Savage - 12 years ago
Spain.
Ken Savage - 12 years ago
I live in Spain and should have the right to vote.
Graham Gilbert - 12 years ago
I live in France. I have owned a house in Kent since 1975. Since then I have payed local council tax, and now pay UK income tax on my UK pension and the UK rents. I have NO representation but PAY taxation. I cannot declare independence like the 13 American States did, but feel incensed by this unfair state of affairs.
Roger Curtis - 12 years ago
I feel very strongly that we should always have the right to vote in our home country. But I am not sure how to vote for both myself and my wife on this site!
Clive Dent - 12 years ago
My wife and I have lived in Spain for the last 10 years. We are lucky in that we can vote next year, but everyone should have a say in their home country no matter how long they have not been resident there, especially those that are still paying taxes there.
Clive B - 12 years ago
I live and work in Spain with my wife and have done for 7 years my children have moved back to the UK for various reasons. My Peruvian/Spanish son in law who moved to the UK for better work opportunities and bigger salary can vote, receive healthcare etc. and has done from day one. What a strange World/ Europe. Why is migration such a difficult concept and equality?
Michael Thorp - 12 years ago
I live in Spain
Susan H. - 12 years ago
I have lived in Switzerland a long time but still have deep feelings for my home country and follow UK politics and current affairs closely. I would like to have the right to vote on the direction it is going in.
Brian Johnston - 12 years ago
I have been living in Spain since 1994 and have not been eligible to vote in the UK General Election since 2009 and because Britain is an EU member, I should be allowed to vote here in Spanish National Elections, but would prefer to be allowed to Vote in the UK.
Maybe UKIP can sort this mess out for ALL of us !
Living with family in France and becoming more and more disenfranchised and exasperated with things. I feel that we took-up the European ideal and have been left high and dry without any voice or say.
Living with family in France and becoming more and more disenfranchised and exasperated with things. I feel that we took-up the European ideal and have been left high and dry without any voice or say.
Graham Walker - 12 years ago
I have lived in Belgium for 21 years and, as a consequence, have no vote (in national elections) in either Belgium or the UK. This fundamental human right should, at least, be standardised within the EU. Personally, since I have no intention of returning to the UK, I would prefer to have the option to vote in Belgium on issues that directly concern me. This, apparently, is unlikely to happen.
Jody Manning - 12 years ago
I have the right to vote in the UK for a few more years but feel I was disenfranchised from the moment I left. The problem? I would like to vote but we receive our ballot papers so late that there is null chance of getting them back in time for polling day. It's an absolute farce.
Nicholas Thorp - 12 years ago
I have lived in Barcelona, Spain for 7 years and am aware that I will lose my right to vote in 2022, except for local and european elections in Barcelona. I believe I should either by allowed to continue to vote in the UK as long as I wish to do so, or that I should have full democratic rights to vote in all elections in Spain, without giving up my UK passport.
Andy - 12 years ago
Lived in Thailand for ten years on a frozen pension - have now moved to Turkey (still waiting after over three months for International Pensions/DWP to get my revised pension sorted out) but will be denied the rıght to vote shortly. Anyway using the postal system is a joke in Thailand as even using airmail (which the UK electıon system doesn't) takes between seven and 10 days each way and as for Turkey, well their delivery service is a notorious national disaster!
So ensure all UK citizens world wıde are franchised for life and that the voting system - on line, perhaps, - meets the need for all votes cast to be counted.
Steve Jones - 12 years ago
I have lived in Norway since 1985 but have no plans to change my nationality. I always vote in local elections which I am entitled to by residency and I think its a scandal that I am not allowed to vote in British national elections as long as I am a citizen.
David Roe - 12 years ago
I have lived in Spain since 2000, which means that my right to vote in the UK will expire in 2015. I feel I should be entitled to either continue to vote in the UK, or have the right to vote in national elections in Spain.
Been off-shore for decades - currently living in Cyprus
Maggie Flint - 12 years ago
My husband and I live in France, we are pensioners, British and British passport holders.
Sue Dostert - 12 years ago
I have lived in Germany now for over 30 years but not taken German nationality because I was born and grew up in England and remain a Brit! I'm not and never will be German. Like many others that means I am eligible to vote ... nowhere! I would like to at least be given a choice within the EU - vote in my country of origin (UK) or where I have chosen to live for now (Germany). It's a basic human right which I am being denied.
Amy - 12 years ago
I live in South Africa. I moved here from Scotland over 3 years ago.
Ann - 12 years ago
We moved to Australia to be closer to our only grandchild. This was not a move that featured in my life plan (which was always sketchy at best) but I do not regret it for a moment. However I am seriously brassed off by the fact that although I worked and paid taxes in the UK for 37+ years I now have a frozen pension so am becoming progressively poorer. I would like the chance to vote for, or not, politicians who are prepared to take the theft of my UK pension seriously.
Michael Teper - 12 years ago
resident: UK
Victor Betteridge - 12 years ago
I live in Australia but I would like the opportunity to vote in UK elections so that , where issues such as frozen pensions are concerned, my vote can make a difference.
Sylvia Mc_ - 12 years ago
I live in Australia, I have always felt loyal to England, visit often, and visit family and friends, my family lives here, and this unjust policy should be stopped now,
Jean - 12 years ago
I live in Australia
David - 12 years ago
Like many of the comments above, I worked in the UK for over 40 years, paying all due taxes etc. When the textile company that I worked for closed I tried to find a new job, I was quite quickly told by officers in the job center that "I should accept the idea that I would not find new employment and just get used to living on Benefits". I was not mentally ready to quit so "I got on my bike" and went looking again. Since then I have worked in China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and now in Indonesia. Because of my working in the UK I have govt. and private pensions. I have the right to pay taxes but not the right to vote on how the govt. spend my taxes.
I also have concern for the ex-military expats. They were expected to go all over the world protecting "British interests" but now the "British govt. has little interest in them".
Helen Powles - 12 years ago
Came to France with my husband in 1973 - following the UK entry into the EU and his job move. We have worked here ever since but have maintained our British nationality even though we have the voting rights of Boat People as British people working abroad in the EU.
Our children were born here. They have dual nationality and as French nationals they can vote from anywhere in the world in elections here in France. Something my husband and I as British Europeans - which is what the EU is all about - cannot do in the UK.
Angela Bishop - 12 years ago
We live in Switzerland having moved here from Paris 15 years ago. My husband pays UK income tax on his service pension and we are both liable to income from the rentals on our small house in the UK which is let. We have no children and after we have both died the UK government will apply inheritance tax at 40% on that part of our estate over and above the exempt tranche. This country used to believe in, and export, notions such as 'no taxation without representation'...
When we have tried in the past to take up the question of the 15 year rule with the MP of our previous constituency we have been treated to stock answers of the type 'we deem that after 15 years away you have lost all interest in UK' - how insulting! We watch the BBC every night...
James Speirs - 12 years ago
As a proud Scot, and Brit, I find it quite ridiculous that someone can decide whether I can vote in the elections of my country just because I am not living there at the moment. In today's market you have to follow the jobs (or sit on the dole I suppose) and that often means travelling out of the country to work. I sitll have savings, a pension, and a house in the UK (which I pay council tax on each month!) so why shouldn't I have a say how it will be managed and by whom? I was born in the UK, have a valid UK passport, lived there for 40 years - worked from leaving college full time paying large amounts of tax...yet some Eastern European guy who has never paid a penny in tax arrives in UK for 6 months or a year to become a resident - and he gets to vote. Something is wrong with this scenario....
My wife and I both moved to Spain in 2005 so currently we should be able to vote in May but for future elections we will be 'locked out' unless this ruling is changed. We both take a keen interest in happenings in the UK and would like to feel we shall still have some minor say in the running of the country of our birth and where we lived (& paid taxes) for decadez.
stuart
Oeps,
sorry, some corrections to my grammar and spelling
Have read the following article in the 'Dutch News' newspaper.
Under the title of 'So just how many expats are there in the Netherlands?'
the link is: DutchNews.nl Friday and Saturdays issue
Makes interesting reading as even the Dutch are pushing hard to get the vote for their ex-countrymen and women.
Emphasising the fact that there are more advantages to giving their own people the vote than denying them it.
They are pushing HARD to have representation and the backing from at least two or more of the political parties that we have here in the Netherlands could prove to very critical indeed.
Please read the associated articles as they may have items that they are using and we have not considered or have used in a different manner to get the point over to the Politicians that don't care about our plight!! Stuart
Have read the following article in the 'Dutch News' newspaper.
Under the title of 'So just how many expats are there in the Netherlands?'
the link is: DutchNews.nl Friday and Saturdays issue
Makes interesting reading as even the Dutch are pushing hard to get the vote for their ex-countrymen and women.
Emphasising the fact there are more advantages to give their own people the vote than denying them it. They are pushing HARD to have representation and the backing from at least two if not more parties that we have here in the Netherlands will prove to very critical indeed.
Please read the associated articles as they may items they we are not using or use in a different manner to get the point over to the Politicians that don't care about our plight!! Stuart
Thailand
My wife and I have lived in Spain since October 2000 if this bill goes through this will be our last year of being able to vote in England.The Spanish Govt will not allow us a national vote so we are effectively disenfranchised from 2015.
I have lived in Italy since 1979. It's time to change this ridiculous 15 year rule and give us Brits the right to vote in the UK.
I live in America.
Currently working as an International Civil Servant in an Organisation which is funded by its Member States, of which the UK is one and having done so now for 15 years (resident in France) I am no longer permitted to vote in UK elections, despite the fact that the UK Government has a direct impact on my life and place of work. This has to be changed so that expats are able to take an active role in British politics.
I live in Luxembourg, where my Luxembourg generated pension is taxed at a rate determined by my global income, which is effectively a second tax on my UK pensions that have already been taxed at source. I've lived here for 22 years so I pay tax in the UK but have no vote and pay a double tax in Luxembourg, where I can only vote in local elections. Seriously considering chaining myself to front door of commune on UK election day to register my protest.
Thailand
Germany
I have lived abroad for nearly 40 years but I am still British with my British passport and I think it's VERY unfair that I can't vote. I take a very great interest in what's going on in MY country and I get so annoyed that I can't vote!
I have lived in Belgium for several years and can only vote in municipal and european elections. Like many of the other people who have commented, I take a keen interest in UK politics and feel quite powerless since I cannot add my voice to counter some of the disturbing issues coming up in UK politics today: rising poverty, anti immigration and anti EU sentiment to name a few.
I have lived in Thailand for nearly 19 years but still take a big interest in the UK.
I would vote if I was allowed to. I am a 'frozen' pensioner but still pay income tax to the UK but feel ignored by my country of birth.
I live in France
i live in France
Portugal
"No representation without taxation" but how would the Government like it if we started applying that principle the other way around?
I agree with how Mr Leonard Harvey feels. Because I've voted on this online petition my husband is unable to do so which is grossly unfair.
With regard to withdrawel of the Winter Fuel Allowance: we live in Burgundy where the winter temperatures drop from between -10°c and -12°c and can sometimes go as low as -20°c. In the winter of 2011/12 the temperature dropped to -25°c!
How can winter temperatures in France possibly be classified as warmer than the UK?
I am British and have lived in France since 1981. I think it is appalling that British citizens lose their right to vote after living 15 years outside the country. This must change!
I live in France, and want to continue to be able to exercise my constitutional right to vote, which has now lapsed.
British and living in The Netherlands which gives the vote to all its citizens, even those no longer living in NL.
If this were ever standardised across the EU, that is how it would have to be done.
Resident in France. I am a UK citizen who retains a house in the UK and am liable to pay tax in the UK as well as in France. If the UK wishes to be considered a democratic country then it should not deny its citizens the right to vote. No taxation without representation.
I am a Brit retired in the Philippines. I receive my UK pension and should have the right to vote in UK elections, as the government in power makes decisions that affects the UK economy and consequently pensions, therefore I should have the right to vote for the party that I feel will be the most beneficial for the country.
When qualified as teachers my cohort was encouraged to work abroad as"Britain's unseen export".During my career I have paid in to both the professional pension scheme and national insurance and receive my pensions taxed and in GBPS. We maintained a family home in UK for all of our overseas working life but this did not give our daughter the same rights as British students living in the UK. We voted in every national election for the first fifteen years and feel that it is not just to deprive us of the right to vote in support of the European option something we have always believed in and the outcome of which could affect us crucially as retired professionals living in France.
My wife & I are resident in France; we have lived & worked overseas sence 1983, so we have lost the postal vote some time ago. It is highly irksome that other countries retain voting rights for their non-resident citizens but UK does not, subject to the 15 year rule. The last time we voted in a UK election was in 1997. Now we are faced with the possibility of a referendum on Britian's membership of the EU & have no say in something that may affect our lives in France due to a narrow-minded definition of the franchise.
All our income being mainly pensions is derived from UK & taxed at source in accordance with British taxation laws; we also declare our income in Frace & are taxed here too despite the double taxation agreement as there have been changes to French law. However, the main point is that we are British taxpayers & have no say in how our taxes are spent. Indeed, as your other correspondents have commented, there should be 'No taxation without representation'.
Our main focus apart from the taxation issue now is the possible referendum on EU membership. It is iniquitous that we who will be affected directly have been deprived of voting rights. I have written to 10 Downing Street about this & there is correspondence available from the Cabinet Office - basically to the effect that there are no plans to change the current legislation. Therefore, I am delighted to contribute my thoughts to a pressure group whose aim is to achieve a change in UK legislation to allow us to participate in key decisions. We may be resident outside UK (& in EU) but we remain domiciled in UK. We have the absolute right to go back there at any time, so why should we not retain a UK franchise in common with so many other western democracies?
Live in France
It is obviously very wrong for expats to be deprived of the right to vote in national elections both in their home country and in their country of residence. Some women in Britain gave up their lives, or were tortured in prison, in their fight to obtain universal suffrage. I live in France and have been unable to vote in national elections for the last 28 years. Even my attempts to vote by proxy during my first 15 years as an expat came to nothing.
I'm British and have lived in France since 1995. It's unfair that I can no longer vote in UK parliamentary elections. It's still my country and I should have my say in who governs it. Other countries in Europe allow their citizens to vote irrespective of where they live or how long they have lived there (eg France). The UK should do the same. In terms of voting in national elections, I am now disenfranchised.
I haven't been able to vote in any country for all my adult life (from 18 to 57). I currently live in Greece.
It seems that democracy has gone out of the window as far as the UK is concerned. Other European countries encourage their expat citizens to vote. Britain is not the ''mother of democracy'', it seems it is not even the "embryo of democracy". Mr. Cameron, "Give us our right to vote !!"
Lived in Rance for 18 years. Can't see any logical breason for the 15 year rule - all we ex pats have connections- family/pension etc - many atill pay tax in the UK. In my region I would say that the majority would vote Conservative given the chance, so in fact it would benefit the present government to allow us to vote !
Resident in Ireland
I've been living on the continent - mostly in France - for the last 25 years. Why is Britain one of the few countries to deprive its citizens of their democratic rights in this way?
I've spent the last 18 years in Portugal, Uruguay and now Belgium. I was born in the UK, and lived there until I was 21. I feel like a foreigner not being able to vote in a country that is mine and I love. I even had a UK diplomat telling me I'm not really British!
I live in France but I do not see why I should be regarded as having given up my rights as a UK citizen.
I moved to France in 1999 and so will miss out on the opportunity to vote in the 2015 general election in the UK. This is intensely frustrating, as I voted in the last UK election. I was born and brought up in the UK, all of my family are in the UK, and as an English teacher here in France, I spend much of my professional life teaching students about life in the UK. How can it be argued that I have cut all ties with my country?
I'm a British woman, living in Japan for more than 40 years. Since I'm not a Japanese citizen, I have no voting rights here, even though I'm a permanent resident. Nor can I vote in Britain. In fact I've never had the right to vote anywhere. People tell me how good this democracy system is. Maybe so, but I will never know until I am allowed to try it. Until then I will continue to be a second-class British citizen!
I travel a lot in somewhat dodgy areas of Africa. Should I ever be taken hostage (hopefully not!), I doubt if my captors would understand that I am in no way responsible for the acts of the British government since I cannot vote them either in or out!
Strange that the government is able unilaterally to disenfranchise some of its citizens just because they live in another country. Surely this is undemocratic!
I live in Germany, and will have no vote in any national elections in any country after the 15 year period. With the internet and cheap travel, we stay far more closely in touch than previous generations did. Many of us remain undecided where we will spend our retirement, and still have a strong interest in the UK.
Lived in Greece now for 17 years and look forward to a change in the UK law.
I'm Scottish by birth, lived and worked in Continental Europe since 1986 and have just found I am no longer allowed to register for a vote because its been more that 15 years since I last lived there. However if there is a YES vote in the Scottish referendum I will automatically become Scottish according to this >> http://scotreferendum.com/questions/what-different-routes-to-citizenship-will-exist-under-the-scottish-governments-proposals-and-who-will-qualify-for-these/
Portugal
I live in Norway. I can vote in all other elections, but I am not "allowed" to have a say on whether Scotland, the country I call home when I am not working, leaves the UK. I am furious about this.
I've lived on and off in Canada since 1974. I return to the UK fairly often and live there (London) part time still, I voted in the last general election whilst at home in London so I'm not sure if new legislation effects me or not. Either way there's no doubt that British citizens should have the right to vote no matter how long they've been absent from the country, we're British after all.
My husband and I have lived in Spain for 9 years we are British subjects and believe that we should have the right to vote especially on matters that will have huge implications for us living here in Spain . There should be no reason why as a British Subject we should not be allowed to open a different bank account for instance, just because we choose to live outside of the UK . We still need to have a UK bank account for my husbands occupational pension to be paid in to and for visits to the UK . We are British and it should be our entitlement , we feel we are being discriminated .
On the subject of the vote to stay in the EU this is a major concern for us and will have huge implications if Britain comes out of the EU , mainly health care and losing our Tax allowance. To be taxed on our state and private pensions would be disgraceful having worked all our lives and paid our taxes . Just because we choose to live in a warmer climate and that we have worked hard and contributed all our lives to be able to do so we should not be penalised.
I live in Italy and have just lost my right to vote in the UK but still feel very much a Brit and indeed affected by what goes on at home. As expressed in various other comments, the inability to counter the anti-EU sentiment rife in my home country through my vote is frustrating to say the least and potentially damaging to my and other expats' lives as well as to the future freedom of movement of fellow Brits. As for the so-called apathy among British expats vis-à-vis their right to vote considering the low numbers registered to do so, may it be that many are not aware of this right?
Living in Italy
Denmark
Moved to Sweden aged 22 in 1983, been here ever since. Like most other ex-pats I'm eligible to vote in Swedish municipal and county level elections, but not to parliament. I only voted once in the UK, having only been of voting age for 4 years prior to turning my back to what Thatcher was causing.
In France since 1982 ...........
This is basically all the fault of the European Community - they should already allow residents from other EC countries to vote in the elections of the country where they live, work and pay tax. This is not the case, except for municipal and european elections but of course that doesn't prevent them from being more than happy to gobble up the tax you pay - how this subject could never have been addressed since the EC exists just beats me. Even more disgusted to discover recently that UK citizens out of the UK for more than 15 years couldn't vote there either. So just where can you vote ? This is hardly an example of democracy for the rest of the world. As far as I know, French citizens abroad still have the right of vote in France so why doesn't the UK do the same ? But beyond that, I think that there should be one global rule for all the EC countries and they must all sign up to across-the-EC voting rights or quite simply forfeit membership of the said community.
Moved to Thailand in 2009.
Not yet affected by the 15-year rule but, under that legislation, I will be affected one day not-too-far-off.
I tried to register to vote by proxy in recent Euro elections - snail mail is a waste of a good vote because not enough time is allowed between sending out of ballot papers and the voting date - I seem to remember a period of 4 days!! Anyhow, my proxy vote wasn't allowed because, although my papers were with the authorities in my last UK constituency well before cut-off date, their admin. processes meant that the Register of Electors was not updated immediately - the next update was after the election.
Voting in person at Embassies/Consulates should be allowed.
Lived in the US for 15 years but still have a vested interest in the politics of the UK as it is the land of my birth, and where my family still resides. I feel I should have the right to let my opinion be voiced, even if my one vote I'm sure won't ever tip the balance of power one way of the other, but you never know...
I would like my voice to be heard and my vote registered in the country to which I may return one day.
Been out of UK since 1990. Lived in Italy, India and now France. Voted once in UK general election of 1987 - never voted anywhere since as not eligible to vote in major elections in those countries I've lived in.
Working in Estonia (and before that, Portugal) - working overseas for six years so far.
I am resident in Singapore. We checked with our local council on our last trip back to the UK about the possibility of voting. It transpires that one can within the 15 years rule but however it has to be done by slow mail. Given that the voting paper is only sent out when the local council receives the voting paper and a strict time limit to return the voting paper by post there is no way it is possible to do so (unless you courier it back and even then it depends on when you receive it via the postal system)!!!
Having left the UK in 1981 to work overseas, I lost my ability to vote at that time. I certainly embraced living in my new locations and assimilated into the cultures of the countries - I would be hypocritical to denounce the loss of the British way of life to immigrant ways in the UK and then attempt to impinge the British ways on my adopted residences!! - but particularly as I get older, I get more "British" in my ways and thoughts (not that I was ever not particularly British!). I return to the UK multiple times each year, but retain my (now) residence in the USA (having lived previously in Canada). I would dearly love to be able to participate in the elections in the UK to hopefully assist in ensuring that Britain remains British, as well as guiding the country I love albeit from afar. Ironically, as a "legal alien" in the USA, I have no vote here, so essentially I am disenfranchised wherever I am!!
I am a pensioner living and paying my taxes in Spain but as I devoted 22 years of my life to U.K. military service, followed by 20 years in the Civil Service, I still contribute taxes into the U.K. economy so, despite having lived here in Spain for 14 years, why should I be, at any time, be struck off the U.K. electoral roll? Have I and many like me, not, even after all that, earned the right to vote for who should make decisions which will affect our lives?
Alex Salmond, with the collusion of Mr Cameron, is holding HIS referendum and giving the vote to 16 year old kids! Well, I was a teenager in Scotland at one time and Mr S. has, by this action, knowingly enrolled his very own "Brown Shirts" brigade as there's no-one more nationalistic than a teenage Scot, believe me!
Spot the difference and note the duplicity of Mr Cameron!
I am resident in France and in receipt of Government Pension, so I pay taxes in UK. Therefore feel I have the right to vote. I also want to vote to keep the UK in the EU. I do not have French citizenship so am not entitled to vote in Government elections here in France
Resident in Turkey
Response to Heather Attig's remarks I have just seen. I filled in the form in Brussels to vote in the European elections and explained the reason why I had no voting rights in my home country ( England ). This raised an eyebrow by way of comment in the school where the elections were being conducted - because, I think, the reason for being barred from British elections due living abroad to them sounded ludicrous. They promptly allowed me to vote, which I did for the candidate most likely to annoy Westminster.
Try again next time !
I left England to live in Paris in 1964. In 1966 I moved to Brussels where I have lived since. In those days, I seem to remember, anyone living outside Britain for above 5 years could not vote in elections there. Once they increased this time limit, it was too late for me. This has meant never, ever, have I been able to vote in a national election. I watch BBC 1 and BBC World news on TV, read the Guardian on Internet, and probably have a great more knowledge of what is happening in England than many registered voters have. This makes me regret I was not born in France where I would have had a much better education, a much better health service, and voting rights - not to mention the food and climate ! I also saw a New York Jew on TV saying '' I am going to vote in the Israeli goverment elections, and I have never even been to Israel ! The inescapable conclusion is Britain is not the ''mother of democracy'', another erroneous picture the country has of itself.
I live in the United States, and am solely a British citizen. Arriving as a young person, I found the process for voting from overseas complicated, and I neglected to vote. I did not realize that this would lead me to lose the franchise for life. I am British, I visit annually for a month, and I want the door to remain open.
Resident in France
I live in Portugal and want to vote to keep the UK in the EU
I live in France and feel that it is very unfair that after 15 years abroad British Citizens are deprived of their vote. I don't mind whether I vote in general elections in the UK or France,but I should have a vote somewhere!
I retired to Spain after more than 25 years working in the Netherlands.
I am indifferent to the fate of the UK, and believe that the EU would be far better off without it forever moaning on the side-lines. However, I also find it appalling that two million people unfortunate enough to live in other EU countries while being British citizens will not have a say in a referendum that could dramatically and adversely disrupt their lives.
France.
I live in Switzerland and cannot vote because I have been abroad for more than 15 years. As a British national and former professional soldier who served my country (mostly abroad) for 24 years, however, whose entire income is derived from and taxed in the UK, who still keeps in contact with a large number of family members and friends in the UK - and who also keeps abreast of whatever is happening in Britain through the wonders of modern communications (TV, radio and telephony) technologies - I demand the right to vote in UK National (not Local) Elections and Referenda, because I remain a loyal British national, (and also a Citizen of the EU), no matter where I happen to be living. That many thousands of Britons are deliberately denied the right to vote is a shameful national scandal perpetuated by MPs and Peers who are too interested in their own careers to bother about the fundamental democratic principle of Universal Adult Suffrage, despite the provisions of the UN Charter on Human Rights and the EU's electoral rules.
I live in Berlin, Germany. It seems extraordinary that in the European Union there are two classes of citizen...those that can vote in their country of citizenship and those that cannot. Surely the EU should guarantee universal suffrage to its European citizens.
I live in the USA, but I never became an American Citizen. I still carry a British Passport. If I could I would vote yes for Scottish Independence, but because of the 15 year rule, that right is denied to me.
Spain.
I live in Spain and should have the right to vote.
I live in France. I have owned a house in Kent since 1975. Since then I have payed local council tax, and now pay UK income tax on my UK pension and the UK rents. I have NO representation but PAY taxation. I cannot declare independence like the 13 American States did, but feel incensed by this unfair state of affairs.
I feel very strongly that we should always have the right to vote in our home country. But I am not sure how to vote for both myself and my wife on this site!
My wife and I have lived in Spain for the last 10 years. We are lucky in that we can vote next year, but everyone should have a say in their home country no matter how long they have not been resident there, especially those that are still paying taxes there.
I live and work in Spain with my wife and have done for 7 years my children have moved back to the UK for various reasons. My Peruvian/Spanish son in law who moved to the UK for better work opportunities and bigger salary can vote, receive healthcare etc. and has done from day one. What a strange World/ Europe. Why is migration such a difficult concept and equality?
I live in Spain
I have lived in Switzerland a long time but still have deep feelings for my home country and follow UK politics and current affairs closely. I would like to have the right to vote on the direction it is going in.
I have been living in Spain since 1994 and have not been eligible to vote in the UK General Election since 2009 and because Britain is an EU member, I should be allowed to vote here in Spanish National Elections, but would prefer to be allowed to Vote in the UK.
Maybe UKIP can sort this mess out for ALL of us !
Living with family in France and becoming more and more disenfranchised and exasperated with things. I feel that we took-up the European ideal and have been left high and dry without any voice or say.
Living with family in France and becoming more and more disenfranchised and exasperated with things. I feel that we took-up the European ideal and have been left high and dry without any voice or say.
I have lived in Belgium for 21 years and, as a consequence, have no vote (in national elections) in either Belgium or the UK. This fundamental human right should, at least, be standardised within the EU. Personally, since I have no intention of returning to the UK, I would prefer to have the option to vote in Belgium on issues that directly concern me. This, apparently, is unlikely to happen.
I have the right to vote in the UK for a few more years but feel I was disenfranchised from the moment I left. The problem? I would like to vote but we receive our ballot papers so late that there is null chance of getting them back in time for polling day. It's an absolute farce.
I have lived in Barcelona, Spain for 7 years and am aware that I will lose my right to vote in 2022, except for local and european elections in Barcelona. I believe I should either by allowed to continue to vote in the UK as long as I wish to do so, or that I should have full democratic rights to vote in all elections in Spain, without giving up my UK passport.
Lived in Thailand for ten years on a frozen pension - have now moved to Turkey (still waiting after over three months for International Pensions/DWP to get my revised pension sorted out) but will be denied the rıght to vote shortly. Anyway using the postal system is a joke in Thailand as even using airmail (which the UK electıon system doesn't) takes between seven and 10 days each way and as for Turkey, well their delivery service is a notorious national disaster!
So ensure all UK citizens world wıde are franchised for life and that the voting system - on line, perhaps, - meets the need for all votes cast to be counted.
I have lived in Norway since 1985 but have no plans to change my nationality. I always vote in local elections which I am entitled to by residency and I think its a scandal that I am not allowed to vote in British national elections as long as I am a citizen.
I have lived in Spain since 2000, which means that my right to vote in the UK will expire in 2015. I feel I should be entitled to either continue to vote in the UK, or have the right to vote in national elections in Spain.
Been off-shore for decades - currently living in Cyprus
My husband and I live in France, we are pensioners, British and British passport holders.
I have lived in Germany now for over 30 years but not taken German nationality because I was born and grew up in England and remain a Brit! I'm not and never will be German. Like many others that means I am eligible to vote ... nowhere! I would like to at least be given a choice within the EU - vote in my country of origin (UK) or where I have chosen to live for now (Germany). It's a basic human right which I am being denied.
I live in South Africa. I moved here from Scotland over 3 years ago.
We moved to Australia to be closer to our only grandchild. This was not a move that featured in my life plan (which was always sketchy at best) but I do not regret it for a moment. However I am seriously brassed off by the fact that although I worked and paid taxes in the UK for 37+ years I now have a frozen pension so am becoming progressively poorer. I would like the chance to vote for, or not, politicians who are prepared to take the theft of my UK pension seriously.
resident: UK
I live in Australia but I would like the opportunity to vote in UK elections so that , where issues such as frozen pensions are concerned, my vote can make a difference.
I live in Australia, I have always felt loyal to England, visit often, and visit family and friends, my family lives here, and this unjust policy should be stopped now,
I live in Australia
Like many of the comments above, I worked in the UK for over 40 years, paying all due taxes etc. When the textile company that I worked for closed I tried to find a new job, I was quite quickly told by officers in the job center that "I should accept the idea that I would not find new employment and just get used to living on Benefits". I was not mentally ready to quit so "I got on my bike" and went looking again. Since then I have worked in China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and now in Indonesia. Because of my working in the UK I have govt. and private pensions. I have the right to pay taxes but not the right to vote on how the govt. spend my taxes.
I also have concern for the ex-military expats. They were expected to go all over the world protecting "British interests" but now the "British govt. has little interest in them".
Came to France with my husband in 1973 - following the UK entry into the EU and his job move. We have worked here ever since but have maintained our British nationality even though we have the voting rights of Boat People as British people working abroad in the EU.
Our children were born here. They have dual nationality and as French nationals they can vote from anywhere in the world in elections here in France. Something my husband and I as British Europeans - which is what the EU is all about - cannot do in the UK.
We live in Switzerland having moved here from Paris 15 years ago. My husband pays UK income tax on his service pension and we are both liable to income from the rentals on our small house in the UK which is let. We have no children and after we have both died the UK government will apply inheritance tax at 40% on that part of our estate over and above the exempt tranche. This country used to believe in, and export, notions such as 'no taxation without representation'...
When we have tried in the past to take up the question of the 15 year rule with the MP of our previous constituency we have been treated to stock answers of the type 'we deem that after 15 years away you have lost all interest in UK' - how insulting! We watch the BBC every night...
As a proud Scot, and Brit, I find it quite ridiculous that someone can decide whether I can vote in the elections of my country just because I am not living there at the moment. In today's market you have to follow the jobs (or sit on the dole I suppose) and that often means travelling out of the country to work. I sitll have savings, a pension, and a house in the UK (which I pay council tax on each month!) so why shouldn't I have a say how it will be managed and by whom? I was born in the UK, have a valid UK passport, lived there for 40 years - worked from leaving college full time paying large amounts of tax...yet some Eastern European guy who has never paid a penny in tax arrives in UK for 6 months or a year to become a resident - and he gets to vote. Something is wrong with this scenario....