What is the difference in a government debating / deciding to sending its troops in against its citizens and a government that debates and decides to disenfranchise its citizens ? In our case ( expats) us 5.5 million . My comments 3 months ago still stand . With the Harry Shindler case returning to the ECHR next month the issue will it be decided by a court / tribunal that the UK Westminster Government is NOT LEGALLY obliged to accept -it is only a recommendation ( Westminster normally accepts the ECHR décisions but the way Westminster adopts / interpretes the recommendation is the big question . As in my previous comment the ECHR has a definition accepted in international law that disenfranchisement of a Citizen by his / her country is an act of LOSS OF IDENTITY . I HAVE BEEN REFUSED by my last Electoral Registrar ( per procedures for overseas voters ) to have my application accepted ) and believe that all 5.5 million expat UK citizens should do the same in the first instance . This is so one has the proof that you have been disenfranchised by the Crown Office Electoral Registrars . As a Citizen of Europe whereby because of ECHR rulings one will be allways a Citizen of Europe IRRESPECTIVE OF A COUNTRY deciding to leave EU structure . If Harry Shindlers case does not oblige Westminster to change its ways I will be applying for an Identity Under EU law .
Kevin Foster - 13 years ago
Switzerland. For 15 years I've been receiving intimidating and impersonal letters from my local council (Telford & Wrekin) warning me that "your application to be included on the Register of Electors will expire within three months. If the enclosed form is not completed and returned before your application expires I will automatically remove you from the Register of Electors". Every year I duly did my duty and got the form back in time to be included on the fabled register. In all those years, I can count on one hand the number of times I actually got to take part in an election of one sort or another. Now, finally, the letter has arrived informing me that I have been "removed" from the Register of Electors - just like that, as if I never existed in the first place. While I won't miss the bullying annual communication from my local council's Electoral Services office - the last one headed 'Dear Madam' - I am aggrieved at losing my right to vote (such as it was). This is such a clear injustice that it is outrageous. Having no one to complain to, I saw no alternative but to swallow the pill, however bitter. An entitlement to vote in the politics of your birth country shows that you still belong to that country, where ever you may happen to live in the world. To have that right taken from you in such a cursory, insensitive way, suggests that you don't matter a jot, and that your 15 years of voting rights as an expat were more than you deserved anyway, so be grateful! It leaves people angry, bewildered and at a loss. On the plus side, after coming across your website, I can see that I am not alone, at least, and that there are similarly aggrieved British citizens here, there and everywhere in the same boat. It gives me heart that there are people out there fighting on our behalf, and if adding my name to this website poll furthers the cause, then bloody good luck! If they can take away our voting rights, what next? Our passports?
Jude - 13 years ago
Have lived in Denmark now for almost 37 years. When I approached the embassy a couple af years after moving here (late 70's) about voting in a coming election, I was informed that as I had perminant residency in Denmark I had lost my right to vote in the UK. By the time I found out their mistake it was too late. Has always annoyed me - would really like my right to vote back!!
peter shard - 13 years ago
Living in France and about to retire (17 years of National Insurance contributions in UK a major part of pension entitlement). British passport holder, but we're all Europeans now. Entitled to vote in French European and municipal elections but neither presidential or general elections, despite paying taxes here. So doubly disenfranchised. Not the case if I were French or Italian, where the overseas vote is an important electoral college.
Bill Thompson - 13 years ago
I am a British subject living in Canada.
My pension is frozen at the amount it was when I left the UK in May 2007.
Now living in a Commonwealth country I would think that would not apply,as so many countries in the EU are not ,in fact were enemies of GB ,and yet those who live there , get incremental annual increases. What is wrong with the government ?
Carol Newbold - 13 years ago
I have been resident in Spain for nearly 14 years and have exercised my right to vote in the UK elections each year by proxy. Under the 15 year rule, I will lose my right to vote before the next general election. I feel that this is an absolute denial of my right to vote in matters which directly affect me with regard to my future, i.e. pensions etc. I have no voice in Spain other than in the local elections in my small village, I have no say in the elections in Spain which may affect my life here. No other European country, so far as I am aware, takes away the right of their nationals to cast their vote in the National elections if they do not actually reside in their home country and it is completely unfair that the UK should do so. I have a right to a voice with regard to the Government of my home country as it directly affects my life even though I am temporarily resident elsewhere.
Robert Peake - 13 years ago
I have lived in Spain for 18 years I voted till my right to vote was stolen by the British Government. Although I am resident in Spain I can only vote for the local council and the MEP surely this is totally unfair. A Spaniard living in England can get on the electoral roll and vote. He is privileged he may know nothing about the UK.
Let us remember this British intransigence lost a colony.hence the phrase. "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION"
David Graves–Moore - 13 years ago
My wife & I have lived in Cyprus for the last 5 & a half years. Prior to that we both paid our taxes & national Insurance in the UK. This should give us the right to vote in British Parliamentary elections. The recent decision to remove our right to winter fuel payments illustates the need for expats to have a say in decisions which concern them. That payment is our right, just as much as it is the right of a wealthy resident of, say, Bournemouth. The notion that Cyprus is a warm country so does not merit the payment is absurd. We live at an altitude of over 1,700 feet and our winters are much colder than those of southern England. More importantly, we have paid for such benefits.
I have nothing but contempt for the European Union in general & the Maastricht Treaty in particular. Britain should not be part of the E.U., and pays heavily for being in it. Please do not confuse the issue of the rights of "European" citizens with the very basic right of representation in the counrty whose nationality we hold.
John Barnes - 13 years ago
Town Councils must by law be forced to send out voting papers for ex pats at least one month before elections. Where constituency MPs have a small majority some councils deliberately send out voting papers late or not at all so that the ex pat vote is nullified. I, my wife and friend have been on the registration list of my last address since 2003 and have only received voting forms once - two weeks after the election result! The sitting constituency MP happened to have a small majority!
Patricia West - 13 years ago
As a retired Headteacher, I have to pay my taxes in the UK and this will not change. Why should I be disenfranchised because I choose to live in France which is my right to do under the European Union?. It galls me to think I will have no say or influence in how my taxes may be spent, surely something that contravenes Human Rights!
John Mallinson - 13 years ago
Retired to France this Spring after a lifetime working and paying my taxes in the UK
Judith Roukaerts - 13 years ago
I'm retired and living in France at the moment, and have always intended to return to the UK in due course, having lived there for the first 54 years of my life. I have children and grandchildren in the UK, and am appalled that in a few years time I will be unable to have any say in the government of the country where my family live, and which I've always thought of as home.
Ian Sloan - 13 years ago
Spain.
Rosemary Bell - 13 years ago
I left the UK to work in the UN system at the age of 21. I am now retired in France where I have lived since 1975. I was married to another European national and have remained here since I have been alone. I resent on principle losing my vote which I consider to be my birthright - as it is in other European countries. Further, I do not understand why service with the UN is not equated with serving the country abroad. I am a paid-up member of a UK political party.
I am an expat living in Spain and i believe all expat pensioners have earned the right to have the benefits they have earned. The Winter fuel allowance is needed here in the Winter as its not as warm as some Brit politicians think it is. We ve had high temperatures all summer then it drops and were freezing in the houses which aren t built for keeping the heat in, there is no central heating and marble floors and its warmer outside than in. So whatever they say we need to be warm I will let my spare room be used by a politician if it means they understand. We will fight to the end so take the benefits off the immigrants instead who havent earned it.
clive dent - 13 years ago
Spain
penelope cossins - 13 years ago
Portugal
Dinah Austin - 13 years ago
My husband and I both worked all our lives in the UK, and paid all our taxes and NI contributions.
Now we are retired to France, but are due to lose all our rights. We are unable vote in the French national elections, nor soon the UK ones - we feel disenfranchised.
We try to vote in the UK elections but the system makes it impossibly difficult.
How come the French have MPs for their expat community. The British Government do absolutely nothing for us. They are throwing away valuable votes.
Douglas H. Fidler - 13 years ago
I paid my taxes,founded a U.K. business that employs people (who pay their taxes)
Served in H.M. forces.
I am and was born British and feel that I should have the right to a vote on British matters.
Yours
D.H.Fidler
christine - 13 years ago
Sorry I forgot to add the important bit "stop"
I think its important that we expats keep the vote because it might help stop the lunatics from taking over the assylum. If I am entitled to a British Passport, and have previously been resident in the UK for over 47 years, I am British born and bred, then I should be able to keep the vote. MP's are allowed to do a small stint or a large stint as MPs and yet are entitled to full pension rights for life. What's good for the goose is good for this gander.
Christine - 13 years ago
I think its important that we expats keep the vote because it might help the lunatics taking over the assylum. If I am entitled to a British Passport, and have previously been resident in the UK for over 47 years then I should be able to keep the vote. MP's are allowed to do a small stint or a large stint as MPs and yet are entitled to full pension rights. What's good for the goose is good for this gander.
Roy Littlewood - 13 years ago
I am retired and live in Canada. Because Canada is a Commonwealth country, my pension is "frozen" and I do not receive the annual increases that residents of the UK or of non-Commonwealth countries automatically receive. As a result my present pension is now reduced to 60% of what it would be if I resided in a non-Commonwealth country.
I want to have the vote in order to campaign against this gross inequity.
Julian Ironside - 13 years ago
Living in France I shall soon lose my right to vote in the UK where I currently have to use a friend as proxy since my registration district say they cannot guarantee the voting forms will arrive and be returned in time as they can only send them out very shortly before the election day. (Is it time for electronic votes)?
I wrote to my (Conservative) MP some years ago on thesubject of voting and he sent me the Government advise that those who live abroad should become citizens of their residential country. I found this advise appalling - I am British, born, bred and served the country militarily, so wish to remain British. I like the idea of an MP for overseas residents but can see complications as to the breadth of his constituency.
Instead of the vast expense of yet another MP on top of the bloated legislature currently in place why not just return the right to vote in whatever constituency one wishes to?
Jonathan Anthgony Allso - 13 years ago
I'm probably not your typical ex-pat as I live in Spain because while picking grapes in the "vindage" in the south of France some 25 years ago I met, fell in love with and later married a Spanish girl who is now the mother of our two Spanish boys 22 and 18. I barely have contact with other Brits and lead basically a Spanish lifestyle, speak the language fluently, (my wife does not speak English) and after working hard we have finally paid for our flat though with the crisis we're far from being well off. I find myself totally disenfranchised as the Spanish government only allows me to vote for the local mayor and the European parliament and the British government don't let me vote at all. I am totally against the current European Union with its UNELECTED comissioners and UNVOTED constitution while at the same time committed to the basic idea of a free trade area with free movement of labour. Of course I would vote AGAINST a motion to withdraw from the E.U. as the complications in my legal status in this country don't bear contemplation. Therefore I wholeheartedly support this cause though I doubt if Cameron could give a proverbial toss
stanley watmough - 13 years ago
Any suggestion that you cannot vote takes away your birthright. Prisoners can vote, so should I.
As a British passport holder I have evey right to vote if I so desire
The expats I know are the most pro British people you could meet. Yet after 15 years we are dumped as useless and forgotten about! WHY? We are a better advert for Britain than the people living in GB.
The Government lean over backwards to give immigrants legal or otherwise everything for nothing. They get housing and benefits to pay for it, normally free NHS access, handfuls of forms and advise of how to claim more cash and legal aid when they are disputing a decision that they dislike and to really rub salt into the wounds, full voting rights in all elections & referendums. Yet when you get down to the truth, at least 50% of them hate the British and what we stand for, freedom, self determination and free choice, honesty and fairness to all. So if that is the case where people can enter Great Britain and are only there to grab our benefits and cash and half the time do not pay taxes at all and more than likely to break the laws of the land. What does our Government do? Absolutely NOTHING!!! They do nothing at all, yet these people are costing our country billions of pounds every year.
We the expats (about 5 million of us) cost the UK virtually nothing. we do not claim benefits or cash handouts or claim legal aid, nor do we use the NHS at all. All our medical requirements we have to pay for ourselves. We have to pay taxes in the land where we live and in some cases the UK too.
Yet the Government of the day and all previous one since Thatcher brought in the 15 year rule, have continued to do nothing to redress this most foul of vindictiveness in law.
Because most of us expats still hold our British nationality as well as our British passports, yet we are denied the right to vote in any of the UK's elections or referendums at all and where we live we do not always get the right to vote in any elections except the local one. I personally served my Queen for almost 12 years from the age of 15 years & 2 months in the RN. Then when I left the Navy I worked in the Water treatment for another 15 + years in many countries around the world. I was made redundant in 1984 there wasn't any work around at all, I made over 350 applications for employment and received 3 answers, two positions filled & the third one I was to old, 43 years and 6 months and I was to old!! I moved over to the Netherlands where my girlfriend lived and started from scratch again. I worked hard and long hours to try to get back some dignity into my life. After 6 years my girlfriend & I split up. So I had to find a place to live, rents were to high and it turned out to be cheaper to buy a house. So at 48 years old, I asked for a mortgage and much to my surprise I received one without any trouble at all! Okay, it is an old house I know, but, it is mine well almost. I can vote in local council and EU elections but nothing else at all. I never got any help at all and the officialdom was to say the least daunting. Not like the UK where a non British, non English speaking person gets it all for free. where is the justice in that?
Our voting rights are taken away from us and we have no rights for appeals or a judicial judgement on our lost rights. That is not justice in any shape or form and the British Government of the day should reinstate those rights now, 100% fully reinstated. Additionally, the expats world wide should automatically be included in all elections and referendums within the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Nortern Ireland.
As I stated at the start of this 'short' comment! We are the very best of British, the best advertisements for what is British. We get on with life even when hit by adversity, as they say. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again, above all we are BRITISH and shall be as long as we live. We deserve our right to vote in all elections and referendums held in the UK of GB & NI and we deserve it now and forevermore without exception. So please Mr Cameron, except our rights & reinstate them NOW!!
Robert Hodge - 13 years ago
I live permanently in France, but as the recipient of an occupational pension from the British Govt, I am required to pay UK tax on this income regardless of where I live. As someone who will thus always be required to pay UK Income Tax, I think it is reasonable to always be allowed to vote in the UK elections that determine the level of taxation to which I am subjected. The phrase 'No Taxation without Representation' certainly comes to mind !
John Kermode - 13 years ago
I am married to a German lady, and presently live in Hannover. I have been here since 2002, when I sold my modest property in the UK, so my right to vote in the UK will expire (under current legislation) in 2017. This means I will have one more opportunity to vote in a UK general election. Provided, that is, the system makes it possible for me to vote. The postal voting option is pointless, because the papers will not arrive on time. The proxy option is just as problematical. My best mate in my old constituency is very committed to another political party, and I cannot ask him. At the last election, I tried to enlist the help of the local constituency party, but they were overwhelmed on the day, and I do not believe that my vote was cast. We should all be able to vote on-line, but I see no evidence of a move in that direction.
Just as important in my view is to put pressure on as many MP's as possible to come up with a sensible explanation why ex-pats are not allowed to vote. The usual mantra is that ex-pats progressively lose touch with political developments and are therefore unable to make reasoned decisions at the ballot box. Well, I have news for the idiots who trot out this garbage. I, and I suspect 100% of the people who are involved, or are becoming involved in this campaign, have a rather more sophisticated approach to politics than many members of the electorate. Perhaps therein lies the problem. Which party would have most cause for concern if all 5 million of us were re-enfranchised? Are you sure?
Ah well. In response to the encouragement from the various websites, I will undertake to write to the sitting MP in my old constituency. I hold out no great hope of a serious or constructive response, but I will try.
Good morning all. Now I am about to prove my Englishness by tuning in, as usual, to TMS on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra. That alone should be enough to qualify me to vote!
Previous comments are all valid,,I have tried making my point as in many of these letters,and can agree,that nothing is being heard or seen,to write to an MP results in ether being ignored or the subject matter referred to someone else to deal with and the end result is a total disregard of our rights.
The fact that we are continuing to be taxed ,have made our contribution to a society we lived in for the most productive period of our lives,that those who fought for their country and still have a loyalty to their country,counts for nothing.is it right then for the UK to be described as a politically democratic country,? I think not. the i'm alright Jack syndrome is alive and kicking within the walls of Westminster,and so long as it is allowed to continue nothing will change .
The longer this selective injustice is allowed to continue,the more likely it will become the norm,and when injustice become law it will be impossible to fight our cause,we cannot allow this to happen.
There are times when we are powerless to prevent injustice but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
Sheila
Roy Hubbard - 13 years ago
This Government ,to which I am not allowed to vote for or criticise is nothing more than a virtual dictatorship . It only wants to be in the European Partnership on its own terms Just glad that I do not now live in the country where I was born, served in their armed forces,worked hard all my life and used to love.
God save the Queen and God help her sujects of which I am still one .
Herbert (Doug) Murray - 13 years ago
Pam and I moved to Spain eleven years ago. We first of all lost our Attendance Allowance for Pam's Mother who was suffering from Alzheimer's . The British Expats association led by two ex Barristers fought long and hard for us and eventually we received a part payment. There is still payments due to us for a 3 year period which has now been through Lower to higher Tribunal courts in UK. Again assisted by our ex pat association and it now looks like our very unwilling Sec of State is going to be forced to come up with the money.
The Winter Fuel Payment was another victory for our expats Barristers, forcing the Government to pay us ex pats the WFP here in Spain although it took five or six years of chasing our MP's through the International courts of Brussels. Now they are going to stop paying it to us and perhaps it will go to paying their latest disgusting pay rise. I cannot let you all know how low I feel that all members of our parliament are in my opinion.
All the suffering going on all over and the poorest are taking the biggest hits, while the rich bankers and CEO's are stuffing their nests as fast as they can.
I think that our MP's are going to ignore us at their peril.... we should all vote to remove the C of the Ex from his seat and see how he likes being out in the cold!!
John Salthouse - 13 years ago
I live in France and my old Council - South Holland - has always delivered my voting papers on time. However the return prepaid envelope does not work in France so I put the correct value stamp and airmail stamp & sticker and this seems to work.
I shall not be voting again for the present M.P. because I wrote to him and he replied, three months later, to the effect that he had just received my letter and would pass my suggestions to the ministers concerned. He would then send their replies to me. That over 2 years ago!
We have lived in France for 8 years, so have not yet reached the '15-year no vote' stage. However, in the past I used my brother as a proxy vote in UK elections as he lived in my old constituency area. But, since his death I have no-one else there whom I can ask. Importantly, the so-called alternative of sending a postal vote is laughable as there is never enough time to be sure my vote reaches the UK in time! When we are able to vote on-line, I will re-register to vote. Please can this be within the next 7 years (i.e. before the 15 year deadline)?
E .G Abel - 13 years ago
Have lived in France for 12 years and paid income tax there but all my income arises in the UK. Being able to continue voting in the UK, I may be able to influence policies which could affect that income.
Michael Mitchell - 13 years ago
After 38 years' service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces I will pay tax on my Service pension until the day I die; yet I shall lose my right to vote in the country that taxes me in 6 years' time.
No taxation without representation !
Francis John Garrod - 13 years ago
I am a British ex-pat who retired to Cyprus in 1993 and have therefore been disenfranchised of any vote in national by the policy of the British Govt in cancelling my UK vote after 15 years living outside the UK. I want my vote back! If the UK Govt wants to continue to claim 'death taxes' on my estate upon my death then they had better return my vote to me now.
celia symonds - 13 years ago
I have lived in Spain for nearly 30 years but still have assets relating to the UK.It appears that,although I was able to serve my country in the WRAF,I seem to have less rights now than my grandmother had,being a householder, in the earlier part of the 1900`s. simply because I decided to live away from my birthplace.
The British Government appears hell-bent on ridding itself of the burden of pensioners. First the winter fuel allowance is being stolen from us expats living in Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Cyprus. (but not if you live in Italy, Kenya or India to name but a few): They claim to base their decisions on temperatures claiming that all of ours are higher than the UK! I wonder if they have ever been to India or Kenya which they actually deem as lower! Or to the European mainland in the depth of winter to experience just how cold it gets here.
There is a rumour, and governments mostly rule by rumour, that their longer term objective is to remove our pension rights altogether!
They are slowly but surely disenfranchising us of our right to vote in the UK elections - clearly they are afraid of a backlash at the polling booths. They have incresed the cost of renewing our passports and be sure they will steal them from us altogether in the long run. Can you imagine the day that you are expecting the arrival of your renewed passport to only be told that your passport is no longer valid and cannot be renewed! Ridiculous? Really? Well do not wait to find out. Make every protest that you can, sign every relevant petition or epetition, get your friends, family, neighbours and even strangers to join up and rebel against this eletist bunch.
I'm sure that the discrimination against us expats is in cotravention of Article 14 of the ECHR to which the UK is a signatory. However - this is all due to the politics of envy and the government is vote searching. Build an image of a group of people (1.5 million in Europe and 5 million worldwide) who they suggest are filthy rich and the 'have nots' will be feeding out of their oily hands.
So many of us move abroad because the various governments failed miserably to contain violence, the health service is a shambles and the cost of living in the UK is beyond most of us. There are always those who are rich and don't need this money but most of us are as hard up as these 'have nots'.
The Government wants all of us out of the system so they can pay more to the workshy and keep their votes. Most of us would be happy to have our pension income capped at 500 pounds per week!
Watch this clutch of untrustworthy politicians - they are even more dishonest than the mob that want to take over from them again. Use your vote, your mind, your mouth, your pen, your computer and of course the media. Do not leave it until it is too late.
Brian Edwards - 13 years ago
My wife and I retired to France seven years ago. It would be good to have an expat MP to sort out:-
1. My bank and building society no longer give me the best interest rates on new accounts.
2. My health EHIC card no longer has a reciprocal agreement with Australia.
3. UK travel insurance companies will no longer give me cover.
I served nineteen years in the RAF and twenty two years in civilian flying so have paid a lot of tax and national insurance.
Chris Hibbert - 13 years ago
French resident (Bretagne), since 2 years.
We need an expats MP, and if the French government can make such arrangements, why not the British?
Linda Stebbings - 13 years ago
I live in Spain and in a few years will come under the 15 year rule and therefore unable to vote. My husband is a retired police officer and therefore his pension is taxed in the UK and cannot be transferred to the Spanish tax system. Therefore why shouldn't we always have a right to vote in the UK elections. We were living in Spain during the last two major elections but still never got the chance to vote. Although being registered as overseas residents with our local council in the UK, we never received the voting papers despite contacting them prior to the last election to check that we were still registered. We were told that they are not allowed to send out the postal votes until 10 days before the date of election. That in itself is a joke because it can take 10 days or more to receive UK mail and you still have to get it back to them within that time. However, to date, we have never ever received them despite receiving all other mail from the UK including the councils own annual correspondence asking us to sign to the effect that we are still overseas residents. Furthermore, when we re contacted them, on both occasions to report none receipt of these important postal voting papers, we were told that there is nothing they can do because their system shows that the forms were sent out!!
Surely in this day and age there must be ways to vote electronically, which would be both secure and private.
In all the years we have lived in Spain, we have always received our UK post with no problem apart from these voting papers. Interestingly, having spoken with other ex pats, it seems to have been a case of hit and miss with them as well, mostly miss.
What would the UK do if most of the expats returned, although I know a lot have done so already due to the crisis, and then needed housing, elderly or medical care and possibly even benefits?
Linda Stebbings - 13 years ago
I live in Spain and in a few years will come under the 15 year rule and therefore unable to vote. My husband is a retired police officer and therefore his pension is taxed in the UK and cannot be transferred to the Spanish tax system. Therefore why shouldn't we always have a right to vote in the UK elections. We were living in Spain during the last two major elections but still never got the chance to vote. Although being registered as overseas residents with our local council in the UK, we never received the voting papers despite contacting them prior to the last election to check that we were still registered. We were told that they are not allowed to send out the postal votes until 10 days before the date of election. That in itself is a joke because it can take 10 days or more to receive UK mail and you still have to get it back to them within that time. However, to date, we have never ever received them despite receiving all other mail from the UK including the councils own annual correspondence asking us to sign to the effect that we are still overseas residents. Furthermore, when we re contacted them, on both occasions to report none receipt of these important postal voting papers, we were told that there is nothing they can do because their system shows that the forms were sent out!!
Surely in this day and age there must be ways to vote electronically, which would be both secure and private.
In all the years we have lived in Spain, we have always received our UK post with no problem apart from these voting papers. Interestingly, having spoken with other ex pats, it seems to have been a case of hit and miss with them as well, mostly miss.
What would the UK do if most of the expats returned, although I know a lot have done so already due to the crisis, and then needed housing, elderly or medical care and possibly even benefits?
john wilson - 13 years ago
I live (retired) within the EU my occupational pension is taxed (By Law) within the UK -but I have no say at the ballot box!! is this justice??
wendy - 13 years ago
we spent all our working lives in the UK, surely we should still have the right to have our voice heard
Janey Jones - 13 years ago
I am retired with my husband in France. We worked half our lives in Europe and taking away our voting rights is totally undemocratic.
Mike & Pam Groves of Cyprus EU/Commonwealth. - 13 years ago
It is quite wrong that we are to be penalised by not being able to vote in UK, have an UK MP who we can turn to and support. This is like the Boston Tea Party episode...we pay our taxes, we have a right to vote...forever.
Mike Kearney - 13 years ago
I spent my entire working life in England and receive a UK pension..
Surely I should have the right to choose who best looks after my interests?
Chris Garratt - 13 years ago
I am resident in Luxembourg (>12 years) and will shortly lose my UK vote.
I am not allowed a national vote in Luxembourg despite being a taxpayer.
The EU should intervene to make it a law for any EU resident paying taxes to be allowed to vote where they pay their taxes. No taxes without representation was the basis of the foundation of the USA - why should Europe be different?
Individuals should always have a vote either in their home country or country of residence.
F Holmes - 13 years ago
I am a UK Citizen recently retired to France but after some years I will lose my right to a national vote in any country even though I pay taxes in France & am taxed on my teachers pension in the UK. I believe that there are so many UK citizens living in France, we should have our own représentatives in the UK parliament as do the French living in the UK. Otherwise how can the expats point of view be considered?
Alisdair Mclean - 13 years ago
I live in Helsinki Finland but I inherited my parents home in the country of Angus in Scotland. I am not eligible to vote in any elections in the UK but Angus Council levy the full council tax even though my work obliges me to live and work in rented accommodation in Helsinki.
Jean Colbear - 13 years ago
Both my husband and I are retired and living in France
David Gay - 13 years ago
I live in France but as a Local Government pensioner am obliged to pay my taxes in UK. I contribute to the well being of UK but have no say in it's future. I doubt that the present government given its Eurosceptic views will be vigorous in explaining how I might be able to vote in any future referendum. I believe that the UK parliament should have a quota of MP's representing UK citizens inthe European Union.
Thank you Stuart Smith for your comprehensive input based on your personal experience of being deprived of the right to vote from overseas by the current 15-year-rule. As the website administrator I would just like to add a clarification to your comment that "It was Margaret Thatcher I believe that removed our voting rights, that was a bad move on her part. She had been given bad advice over this issue ......"
Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979 and finally stood down on November 28th, 1990. However, during her time as Prime Minister the following Acts impacting the voting rights of British citizens living abroad were passed:
- The Representation of the People Act 1985 which first granted voting rights for British citizens living abroad, for up to 5 years after they last appeared on the Electoral Register.
- The Representation of the People Act 1989 which extended this overseas voting period to 20 years.
This period was subsequently reduced to the current 15-year-limit by the Political Parties, Elections & Referendums Act 2000.
Administrator
Stuart Smith - 13 years ago
I have worked and lived in the Netherlands permanently since 1984 when I was made redundant from a UK company.
Before that I was in the RN for twelve years having joined at the age of 15 years and two months.
Upon leaving the RN in 1968 I had two other jobs before joining a Water Treatment company and started to travel the world again. This work took me to places near and far across the world, yet at all times I had the right to vote when necessary until 1999. Fifteen years after I moved to the Netherlands, I lost the right to vote within the UK of GB & NI, yet I was not informed of this loss to my rights.
So when I eventually found out that these had been removed from me I had to make a decision. That if I wanted to regain them I would have to return to the UK. Or if stay in the Netherlands where I was employed and was buying my own home, I would not be able to vote in the UK.
In the Netherlands I would be only allowed vote in the local and EU elections.
I would not a burden to the UK establishment, but would become so if I returned to the UK without work or a place to live.
I researched the options within the UK for employment and housing and even had my family and in-laws helping me. Yet, after all this researching for over three years the plain answer was, there was no work for me. Nor could I get a mortgage to buy a home, renting was not an option as landlords or housing associations would not touch expats without employment and by now I was too old in the eyes of the establishment as they frequently liked to tell me.
Now do I become a Netherlands citizen to get a vote in all elections here in Holland and have to lose my rights as a British national?
Or do I remain a British subject, who in the eyes of his own country has lost all rights to take part in the future formation of the land of his birth?
I choose to be a British national and carry a British passport which I shall be renewing in September this year (2013). I will remain a Brit forever and no Government has the right to remove my rights without my consent. Which I would definitely not give them, as I find this too be a despicable act on the part of the Government at the time and of all preceding Governments since then for not removing this obnoxious act of law.
I'm the best advert for Great Britain they will ever get and the other five million expats I am sure feel the same way. No matter for what reason we became expats you must remember we were born in the United Kingdom, this land is our birthright and we wish to use that right to help shape its future at all times.
It was Margaret Thatcher I believe that removed our voting rights, that was a bad move on her part.
She had been given bad advice over this issue and we the expats were never consulted over this proposal, we should have been!!
It is my fervent wish that the Government of the day reinstate without exception to all expats, the voting rights as accorded to all British nationals and subjects who reside within the borders of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Five million of us expats are being deprived of our birthright why, because we live abroad?
We are not a burden to the land of our birth at all nor do we wish to be so. By giving us the right to vote in all UK elections and referendums will not change that stance either.
We ask for those lost rights to be reinstated directly to all expats, we are not criminals or any burden to the UK so please stop treating us as if we were!!
James Bosworth - 13 years ago
I have lived in Switzerland for 17 years and my right to vote was annulled arbitrarily in 2011. (Since turning 18 in 1954 I had never missed voting in a British General Election. From 2008 I have been fairly active in trying to get the UK's Electoral Law changed so that Britons can have a lifetime right to vote no matter where they live or for how long they are abroad. It has become clear to me that -- although Expats pay UK taxes on their Pensions and other UK income -- a majority of MPs do not want Expats to have the vote. This may be because it means extra work for them. The excuse that Expats inevitably lose touch with UK political matters is untrue in this Age of Instantaneous Universal Communication. I watch the UK news on several TV, Satellite and Internet channels and often follow debates in both Houses of Parliament when they are in session, so I am probably better informed about UK political matters than the majority of UK residents. Many other British Expats are equally well informed. The negative attitude of the UK Parliament is indefensible because it is contrary to the democratic principles and policies enshrined in UN and EU statutes.
Jenny Bertenshaw - 13 years ago
I have lived in the Netherlands for over 30yrs where my husband worked for a Dutch company..recently moved to Portugal as we are now retired..It has always galled me that we have paid huge amounts of tax in the UK ,Netherlands and now Portugal but have had very little say in how our tax money is spent or indeed any say in politics at home or abroad ..Its as if we dont exist accept in the tax mans ledger...I feel there is a strong need for an ex-pats political party...we are not insubstantial. in numbers .and our voice should be heard..If they can take our money ,they can take our vote...
A Nott-Bower - 13 years ago
Resident in Portugal. Ridiculous! Of course after 15 years we should, at the very least, have the right to vote on a national level, not just local, as a EU citizen in the country of our residence paying taxes, even if no longer the right to vote in the one of our nationality. Or at least be given the choice of the right to vote in the country of residence or our country of nationality.
B R Lawson - 13 years ago
I receive a UK government pension which is taxed in the UK. I cannot understand why I can have no vote in the UK, just because I am resident in France in retirement. I was resident in many countries during my government service, mostly outside the EU but, was then allowed the vote. Why the change just because I am retired?
Norman Walker - 13 years ago
As an 86 year old native British Citizen who, after 67 years living and working in UK including serving in the armed forces during World War 2, chose to retire to Portugal ( a founder member of the EU ) in 1994, I was taken off the UK electoral roll in 2009 and now have no say in the choice of government of my native country from which all my income comes in the form of pensions. Nor will I have a vote in any UK referendum about whether he UK should stay in the EU, an issue which will affect me profoundly.
I have French, German and American friends who have left their countries longer ago than I have but are all still able to vote in their national elections. It seems to me time for the UK to recognise its loyal citizens and give hem back their voting rights. Good luck to you and Lord Lexden.
Jill Child - 13 years ago
My British husband and our two children have lived in the Netherlands for more than 20 years now. I find it disgraceful that even though we all have UK passports and are British citizens we are disenfranchised in this way. I was just shocked at how much more it cost to renew a UK passport here (double the charge for a UK resident) and find I have no recourse to express my concern over this - I can 'contact my MP' (subtext - if you have one). I studied with the British Open University until it priced itself out of the market - again, no voice to register my concern over things that very much concern me as an ex-pat. I was totally astonished when I found out that I lost my right to vote when I lived her for more than 15 years - I thought the right to vote was a basic human right in a democratic society.
I have been resident in the Netherlands. I feel I should have the right to vote in either UK general elections or, as an EU citizen, the right to vote in Dutch general elections.
michael cushing - 13 years ago
The Electoral Commision rules for a UK non resident : APPLY TO THE ELECTORAL OFFICE WHERE LAST REGISTERED . I have done that specificaly to document the fact that I was REFUSED to register to vote . However dispite demanding the written / historical word on this matter from the Registration Officer (which in my case is in Scotland) and pointing out that the legal line of legislation by WESTMINSTER is DEFECTIVE and is contrary to EU COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECISSIONS - YES THERE HAS BEEN RULINGS AGAINST WESTMINSTER " DISENFRANCHISEMENT CONSTITUTES IN INTERNATIONAL LAW LOSS OF NATIONAL IDENTITY" I am still disenfranchised . The defect in Law in my case is that Representation of the People Act 1985 Scotland ( = total right to vote / similar legislation to 1985 Act England ) is that the latter Act of 2000 Election / Referendum ENGLAND and WALES is not the appropriate Act to modify a Representation of the people Act Scotland !!!! more to the point was the Clause ADDED to this latter Act to negate the LIFETIME RIGHT TO VOTE actually made available to ALL Westminster MP's ? - custom is that the 3 legal entities of UK MP's vote only for legislation for their relevent constituency / jurisdictions ie N Ireland OR Scotland OR England Wales EXCEPT for UK ACTS . REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLES ACTS are not UK ACTS they are relevent only to the afforementioned jurisdictions . More cyniclly the Exclusion Clause added to the Election, Polical Parties 2000 Act was created to mitigate the chance that expats could not inflate the Electoral Roll to vote in ( Independence) Referendums . With the onset of promises to hold Referendums BY YOU KNOW WHO to vote in or out of EU the issue RE LAWFUL REPRESENTATION is possibly of wider interest to UK Expats. Questions then to be answered in the event of " UK" NO to EU vote WHO WILL SUPPLY EU IDENTITY CARDS / EU PASSPORTS to us lot EHR court???!!! After all that I hope Expats will follow the legislation of UK and apply to the Electoral Office to vote - like me
henry devine - 13 years ago
I live in Canada and I am receiving a "frozen" pension from the U.K. So, I would like to have someone
representing me in the U.K. parliament !
David Butler - 13 years ago
British citizen living and paying taxes within the European Union for 25 years (much of this time working for Britsh owned companies). I have never come across a convincing argument for removing the voting rights of British citizens, (especially when many of them are proudly supporting and/or exporting British goods, services and values!). Voting rights are a basic, non negotiable human right linked to nationality. Britain fights abroad often in the name of democracy and universal suffrage. Denying the voting rights of its own citizens is frankly, disgraceful and dishonest. Urgent reform should a matter of honour for legislators. The issue is not complex at all.
Roland Thresher - 13 years ago
Reside in France [5 years]
As ballot papers are only sent out a couple of weeks before an election, due to postal delays, there is insufficient time to receive and return my vote. This is unacceptable and urgently needs reform.
Shân Williams - 13 years ago
I have lived in worked in France for over twenty years. I find it incredible that as a British citizen and French tax payer I can only vote in European elections and local council elections.I think we should be able to choose whether to vote in french or British general elections.
ken bostwick - 13 years ago
I live in France and believe that expats should have their own MP and representation in the British Parliament.
I also believe that expats should have the right to all benefits that UK residents have, especially those residing in the EU
John Page - 13 years ago
We live in France. In addition to removing the absurd and unjust 15 year rule, I think that expats should have their own MPs in the Commons. By comparison, French citizens have 11 MPs for its expats.
Colin Edwards - 13 years ago
I currently reside in the UK, but own a property in France which I intend to retire to in the next 18 months. I will not be entitled to vote in France (except for village council and EU elections), so will eventually lose my right to elect the government anywhere, neither French nor British, unless I become a French citizen.
If I remain a British citizen, with a British passport, why should I not be entitled to vote for the British government?
Graham - 13 years ago
We have been resident in France for 3 years and registered for an overseas vote when we left. While we accept that the UK government and embassies consider us an inconvenience, we think we should have continuing voting rights the same as our European partners.
Graham - 13 years ago
We have been resident in France for 3 years and registered for an overseas vote when we left. While we accept that the UK government and embassies consider us an inconvenience, we think we should have continuing voting rights the same as our European partners.
James Nowell - 13 years ago
I live in France and will shortly become disenfranchised. My children were born in the UK and moved here when very young. When they become 18, they will have no voting rights anywhere. This is an unbelievable situation to find oneself in as an EU citizen exercising a right to free movement. When compared to the efforts France and other countries make to allow their expats to vote, this exposes a shameful democratic deficit of the UK.
David Hart - 13 years ago
Have lived in France for 5 years, pay tax in UK and want a say in how the government use my taxes, want to have a voice in the referendum and want the health costs sorted out by the UK government, as per the excellent work done by Brian Cave in France, through his tireless efforts on our behalf.
David Hart
Marian Day - 13 years ago
Having lived in Australia for over 9 years, I can still vote in the UK, and have arranged a postal vote. However in another 6 years, I shall lose that right, if the present rules still apply, and as I cannot vote in Australia, unless I take up Australian citizenship, I will then have no franchise at all.
This is clearly grossly unfair, and needs to be remedied. Like frozen UK pensions for ex-pats in Commonwealth countries, it is another example of arrogant discrimination against a particular category of British citizens.
Diotima - 13 years ago
I live in Germany.As a retired British civil servant, I have no option to pay tax on mycivil service pension anywhere except Britain. I should have a right to vote if I am forced to pay tax there. With the possibility of Eu membership being an election issue and a referendum on continued membership, Brits liviing in Europe should have the right to vote. This issue affects us directly. Is there no scope under Eu rights of contesting this, like the removal of prisoners voting rights? If Italy can manage to organise voting for its many expats surely the UK even in its present state of decadence could.
Ann Stewart-Bendorf - 13 years ago
I live in Germany where the right to vote in national elections is based on nationality rather than residence, the latter being the UK criterion.
Edward Kendall - 13 years ago
I live in the United Kingdom, but I have a disenfranchised father in Hong Kong who is employed by a British firm.
Jeremy Fillenham - 13 years ago
With 2,250 votes registered on this site in some 2 years votes for expats would appear to be a less than burning issue as far as most of us are concerned. Either the majority consider that they have already voted with their feet and there is nothing left to be said or else there is a complacencey induced by the lack of a prominent focal point and mechanism for action. What a pity.
Cedric Talbot - 13 years ago
I have lived in Tokyo for more than 30 years but still have a home in the UK which I visit at least twice a year, and family and friends whom I see as much as possible. I receive pensions both from the state and from my long employment with British companies whom I represented in Japan for 25 years. This makes me a UK taxpayer.
When the ECHR ruled that convicted prisoners should be entitled to vote I was so incensed that I wrote to David Cameron to ask why my human rights as an expat were of less importance than those of an axe murderer. Predictably the reply from his minion did not answer my point but did state that "the UK voting franchise is not based exclusively on being a UK taxpayer", citing foreign nationals resident in the UK paying tax but not being eligible to vote.
That argument cuts no ice at all. Most of us believe in the concept of "no taxation without representation" but that applies not to us, but to Americans. Any UK citizen who is not in jail or mentally unfit should be allowed to vote in his own country irrespective of where he lives in the world, especially those who pay UK tax. As so many have pointed out, this is the position of almost every other expat from other countries.
I cannot understand where the ridiculous 15 year rule comes from ( it was 20 years until 2002 ), or what British political parties have to lose by perpetuating this grossly unfair system.
Sue - 13 years ago
Agree entirely with Tricia, we live permanently in France but all pensions paid from UK, where we spent most of our working lives. Of course what happens there matters to us .... our lives, financially, depend on it! French friends can't believe we have no right to vote.
Dee Simpson - 13 years ago
Couldn't agree more with both Roland and Brian Harvey. Although in principle I retain the right to vote, our UK-local authority gets the papers out so late that it is impossible to return them in time, whereas a friend's ex-voting authority manages it. Unfair, undemocratic and a pig's ear of a mess, is how I'd describle EU legislation on the subject.
Tricia Geary - 13 years ago
My partner and I live permanently in France but receive our state pensions and small private pensions from the UK. The state of the British economy is therefore very important to us and we feel it is essential that we are able to continue to vote for the political party we think will do the best job for us and for the United Kingdom.
Sue Adams - 13 years ago
I live and work in France, am a British Citizen and plan one day - when I retire perhaps - to return home. My children are in the UK and I still own property there. I therefore do not wish to renounce my British citizenship. However, I find that my loyalty to my own country will be rewarded by the loss of the right to vote either in the UK or in France. I find this disenfranchisement absolutely extraordinary within a so called democratic society. Women died in the last century in order that other women should get the right to vote. I will fight to keep mine.
J.M. - 13 years ago
Austria - Having exercised my right to freedom of movement in the EU, I will soon lose a key political right. I do not wish to change my nationality (pointless in Europe anyway) just to win the right to vote. I would like to see it possible to select where you place your vote in the same way you can for EU elections (place of origin OR place of residence).
I don't see why I should have to pay my taxes in the EU country which I earn them if I am not given the right to say what is done with them.
Susan Enefer - 13 years ago
I've lived in Canada since 1967 and receive a 'frozen' British pension. I fully support the aims of your organization and wish you success.
John McLean - 13 years ago
I live in Spain, at the moment I still have the right to vote in the UK but believe that, as I have a public service pension on which I pay tax in the UK I should retain my vote for life.
I know the politicians say that where you pay tax is not essential to give you the right to vote
but I would also point out that an ex-pat renewing their passport, has to pay and extra charge which is said to be to support the Consulates in foreign countries in their work to help UK citizens who need their help. That being the case we are paying for UK civil servants to be employed abroad and this is another reason why we should retain the vote for life
Roland - 14 years ago
Even during the 15 years when we are permitted to vote, the timescale makes it most unlikely that your vote counts. Papers cannot be sent to you until the candidates list closes, then the electorial officer in your last residence in the UK has to send you the papers, you complete them and return them. Given the Spanish postal system, and the reliance on them being sent out at the first opportunity, post them back to the returning officer - my first attempt, with no delay on my part, missed the election date, and I think probably the second one as well. As things stand the next general election will be the last for me. It is about time on line voting was introduced, are we not in the 21st century? You wouldn't think so!
Brian Harvey - 14 years ago
Based in the UK, I believe it is every citizen's right to vote for the government of his birth and nurture, wherever he resides. He should also be allowed to vote for the government of any state wherein he pays taxes and/or community costs.
"No taxation without representation" cost the British people a sizeable part of their empire once. A similar condition could indicate the break-up of the UK?
Sue Hicks - 14 years ago
Resident in France since April 2002 and am registered as an overseas elector. I pay Uk and French taxes as was a local government employee. Not taxation without representation please
Sue Hicks - Pezenas
Carolyn Murphy - 14 years ago
Lived abroad for 40 years but am now back in UK. I know that expatriates make an important contribution to Britain in many ways. They should be enfranchised and not cast off or out.
David Glossop - 14 years ago
Typical "couldn't care less" and lethargy rule most expats on this issue. But I do care and I DO want to see that we continue to have the vote in our homeland.
I pay my taxes to the UK Government and have completed annual tax returns for the French since arriving here in 2004. I am now being charged tax by the French on my British pensions (based in the main on pensions from HM Forces and the Civil Service), so of course I am writing to UK MPs and Lords on the matter. Without the right to vote, I have absolutely no say nor access to complain about the matter to those who tax me! To paraphrase another important event in British history - "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION".
David
Brittany, France
Robert Hodge - 14 years ago
I have lived permanently in France since 2003 so I only have 6 years of voting left under the current rules. However, as I am in receipt of a British Government pension, I must always by law pay income tax on that pension in the UK for the rest of my life. So in 6 years time I will still have to pay UK income tax, but will not be able to vote and thus influence how much that tax may be, or how it may be spent. This will amount to Taxation Without Representation, which in my view is wholly unacceptable.
For all those in my position I believe that the answer is simple: Either give us the indefinite right to vote because we pay income tax indefinitely, or simply cancel our obligation to pay UK income Tax at the same time as our right to vote is taken away.
Stephen Hugman - 14 years ago
Resident in Portugal, my Portuguese friends who are resident in the UK and other countries have the right to vote in national elections. My British friends & I living here for more than 15 years do not.
It is possible to be active politically, and I am proud to have been invited to join the list for local elections and to take part actively in local politics. However, that does not provide us with the basic right of participation in national decision taking.
However, UK nationals living within the EU lose their rights to vote in national elections, and are European citizen paying taxes but without representation on how those taxes are set - neither in their country of residence nor in their country of nationality. A growing population in Europe is being disenfranchised. Is it surprising that there is a growing disaffection with national politics.
Nigel Hartnup - 14 years ago
My wife and I left UK in 1988 to work in the Middle East and we retired to France in 2001. We are both on small State and Teachers' pensions. We are politically interested in what happens in UK, France, Europe and the rest of the world and are active members of a political discussion group for Brits in this region. We can vote for the mayor and for the the European parliament, but that is all. We are disenfranchised from anything else. Democracy? Ideally, we would like to make the choice whether we vote in France or Britain, but as things are it is totally wrong. Change is needed.
Anthony Gaynor - 14 years ago
Let's get into line with other advanced countries and enable expats to vote in their country of origin. I live in France and can vote in local and European elections but not, understandably, in national elections. In a few years time I will not be able to vote in the national elections of either UK or or France. Is that democratic?
What is the difference in a government debating / deciding to sending its troops in against its citizens and a government that debates and decides to disenfranchise its citizens ? In our case ( expats) us 5.5 million . My comments 3 months ago still stand . With the Harry Shindler case returning to the ECHR next month the issue will it be decided by a court / tribunal that the UK Westminster Government is NOT LEGALLY obliged to accept -it is only a recommendation ( Westminster normally accepts the ECHR décisions but the way Westminster adopts / interpretes the recommendation is the big question . As in my previous comment the ECHR has a definition accepted in international law that disenfranchisement of a Citizen by his / her country is an act of LOSS OF IDENTITY . I HAVE BEEN REFUSED by my last Electoral Registrar ( per procedures for overseas voters ) to have my application accepted ) and believe that all 5.5 million expat UK citizens should do the same in the first instance . This is so one has the proof that you have been disenfranchised by the Crown Office Electoral Registrars . As a Citizen of Europe whereby because of ECHR rulings one will be allways a Citizen of Europe IRRESPECTIVE OF A COUNTRY deciding to leave EU structure . If Harry Shindlers case does not oblige Westminster to change its ways I will be applying for an Identity Under EU law .
Switzerland. For 15 years I've been receiving intimidating and impersonal letters from my local council (Telford & Wrekin) warning me that "your application to be included on the Register of Electors will expire within three months. If the enclosed form is not completed and returned before your application expires I will automatically remove you from the Register of Electors". Every year I duly did my duty and got the form back in time to be included on the fabled register. In all those years, I can count on one hand the number of times I actually got to take part in an election of one sort or another. Now, finally, the letter has arrived informing me that I have been "removed" from the Register of Electors - just like that, as if I never existed in the first place. While I won't miss the bullying annual communication from my local council's Electoral Services office - the last one headed 'Dear Madam' - I am aggrieved at losing my right to vote (such as it was). This is such a clear injustice that it is outrageous. Having no one to complain to, I saw no alternative but to swallow the pill, however bitter. An entitlement to vote in the politics of your birth country shows that you still belong to that country, where ever you may happen to live in the world. To have that right taken from you in such a cursory, insensitive way, suggests that you don't matter a jot, and that your 15 years of voting rights as an expat were more than you deserved anyway, so be grateful! It leaves people angry, bewildered and at a loss. On the plus side, after coming across your website, I can see that I am not alone, at least, and that there are similarly aggrieved British citizens here, there and everywhere in the same boat. It gives me heart that there are people out there fighting on our behalf, and if adding my name to this website poll furthers the cause, then bloody good luck! If they can take away our voting rights, what next? Our passports?
Have lived in Denmark now for almost 37 years. When I approached the embassy a couple af years after moving here (late 70's) about voting in a coming election, I was informed that as I had perminant residency in Denmark I had lost my right to vote in the UK. By the time I found out their mistake it was too late. Has always annoyed me - would really like my right to vote back!!
Living in France and about to retire (17 years of National Insurance contributions in UK a major part of pension entitlement). British passport holder, but we're all Europeans now. Entitled to vote in French European and municipal elections but neither presidential or general elections, despite paying taxes here. So doubly disenfranchised. Not the case if I were French or Italian, where the overseas vote is an important electoral college.
I am a British subject living in Canada.
My pension is frozen at the amount it was when I left the UK in May 2007.
Now living in a Commonwealth country I would think that would not apply,as so many countries in the EU are not ,in fact were enemies of GB ,and yet those who live there , get incremental annual increases. What is wrong with the government ?
I have been resident in Spain for nearly 14 years and have exercised my right to vote in the UK elections each year by proxy. Under the 15 year rule, I will lose my right to vote before the next general election. I feel that this is an absolute denial of my right to vote in matters which directly affect me with regard to my future, i.e. pensions etc. I have no voice in Spain other than in the local elections in my small village, I have no say in the elections in Spain which may affect my life here. No other European country, so far as I am aware, takes away the right of their nationals to cast their vote in the National elections if they do not actually reside in their home country and it is completely unfair that the UK should do so. I have a right to a voice with regard to the Government of my home country as it directly affects my life even though I am temporarily resident elsewhere.
I have lived in Spain for 18 years I voted till my right to vote was stolen by the British Government. Although I am resident in Spain I can only vote for the local council and the MEP surely this is totally unfair. A Spaniard living in England can get on the electoral roll and vote. He is privileged he may know nothing about the UK.
Let us remember this British intransigence lost a colony.hence the phrase. "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION"
My wife & I have lived in Cyprus for the last 5 & a half years. Prior to that we both paid our taxes & national Insurance in the UK. This should give us the right to vote in British Parliamentary elections. The recent decision to remove our right to winter fuel payments illustates the need for expats to have a say in decisions which concern them. That payment is our right, just as much as it is the right of a wealthy resident of, say, Bournemouth. The notion that Cyprus is a warm country so does not merit the payment is absurd. We live at an altitude of over 1,700 feet and our winters are much colder than those of southern England. More importantly, we have paid for such benefits.
I have nothing but contempt for the European Union in general & the Maastricht Treaty in particular. Britain should not be part of the E.U., and pays heavily for being in it. Please do not confuse the issue of the rights of "European" citizens with the very basic right of representation in the counrty whose nationality we hold.
Town Councils must by law be forced to send out voting papers for ex pats at least one month before elections. Where constituency MPs have a small majority some councils deliberately send out voting papers late or not at all so that the ex pat vote is nullified. I, my wife and friend have been on the registration list of my last address since 2003 and have only received voting forms once - two weeks after the election result! The sitting constituency MP happened to have a small majority!
As a retired Headteacher, I have to pay my taxes in the UK and this will not change. Why should I be disenfranchised because I choose to live in France which is my right to do under the European Union?. It galls me to think I will have no say or influence in how my taxes may be spent, surely something that contravenes Human Rights!
Retired to France this Spring after a lifetime working and paying my taxes in the UK
I'm retired and living in France at the moment, and have always intended to return to the UK in due course, having lived there for the first 54 years of my life. I have children and grandchildren in the UK, and am appalled that in a few years time I will be unable to have any say in the government of the country where my family live, and which I've always thought of as home.
Spain.
I left the UK to work in the UN system at the age of 21. I am now retired in France where I have lived since 1975. I was married to another European national and have remained here since I have been alone. I resent on principle losing my vote which I consider to be my birthright - as it is in other European countries. Further, I do not understand why service with the UN is not equated with serving the country abroad. I am a paid-up member of a UK political party.
Germany
I am an expat living in Spain and i believe all expat pensioners have earned the right to have the benefits they have earned. The Winter fuel allowance is needed here in the Winter as its not as warm as some Brit politicians think it is. We ve had high temperatures all summer then it drops and were freezing in the houses which aren t built for keeping the heat in, there is no central heating and marble floors and its warmer outside than in. So whatever they say we need to be warm I will let my spare room be used by a politician if it means they understand. We will fight to the end so take the benefits off the immigrants instead who havent earned it.
Spain
Portugal
My husband and I both worked all our lives in the UK, and paid all our taxes and NI contributions.
Now we are retired to France, but are due to lose all our rights. We are unable vote in the French national elections, nor soon the UK ones - we feel disenfranchised.
We try to vote in the UK elections but the system makes it impossibly difficult.
How come the French have MPs for their expat community. The British Government do absolutely nothing for us. They are throwing away valuable votes.
I paid my taxes,founded a U.K. business that employs people (who pay their taxes)
Served in H.M. forces.
I am and was born British and feel that I should have the right to a vote on British matters.
Yours
D.H.Fidler
Sorry I forgot to add the important bit "stop"
I think its important that we expats keep the vote because it might help stop the lunatics from taking over the assylum. If I am entitled to a British Passport, and have previously been resident in the UK for over 47 years, I am British born and bred, then I should be able to keep the vote. MP's are allowed to do a small stint or a large stint as MPs and yet are entitled to full pension rights for life. What's good for the goose is good for this gander.
I think its important that we expats keep the vote because it might help the lunatics taking over the assylum. If I am entitled to a British Passport, and have previously been resident in the UK for over 47 years then I should be able to keep the vote. MP's are allowed to do a small stint or a large stint as MPs and yet are entitled to full pension rights. What's good for the goose is good for this gander.
I am retired and live in Canada. Because Canada is a Commonwealth country, my pension is "frozen" and I do not receive the annual increases that residents of the UK or of non-Commonwealth countries automatically receive. As a result my present pension is now reduced to 60% of what it would be if I resided in a non-Commonwealth country.
I want to have the vote in order to campaign against this gross inequity.
Living in France I shall soon lose my right to vote in the UK where I currently have to use a friend as proxy since my registration district say they cannot guarantee the voting forms will arrive and be returned in time as they can only send them out very shortly before the election day. (Is it time for electronic votes)?
I wrote to my (Conservative) MP some years ago on thesubject of voting and he sent me the Government advise that those who live abroad should become citizens of their residential country. I found this advise appalling - I am British, born, bred and served the country militarily, so wish to remain British. I like the idea of an MP for overseas residents but can see complications as to the breadth of his constituency.
Instead of the vast expense of yet another MP on top of the bloated legislature currently in place why not just return the right to vote in whatever constituency one wishes to?
I'm probably not your typical ex-pat as I live in Spain because while picking grapes in the "vindage" in the south of France some 25 years ago I met, fell in love with and later married a Spanish girl who is now the mother of our two Spanish boys 22 and 18. I barely have contact with other Brits and lead basically a Spanish lifestyle, speak the language fluently, (my wife does not speak English) and after working hard we have finally paid for our flat though with the crisis we're far from being well off. I find myself totally disenfranchised as the Spanish government only allows me to vote for the local mayor and the European parliament and the British government don't let me vote at all. I am totally against the current European Union with its UNELECTED comissioners and UNVOTED constitution while at the same time committed to the basic idea of a free trade area with free movement of labour. Of course I would vote AGAINST a motion to withdraw from the E.U. as the complications in my legal status in this country don't bear contemplation. Therefore I wholeheartedly support this cause though I doubt if Cameron could give a proverbial toss
Any suggestion that you cannot vote takes away your birthright. Prisoners can vote, so should I.
As a British passport holder I have evey right to vote if I so desire
The expats I know are the most pro British people you could meet. Yet after 15 years we are dumped as useless and forgotten about! WHY? We are a better advert for Britain than the people living in GB.
The Government lean over backwards to give immigrants legal or otherwise everything for nothing. They get housing and benefits to pay for it, normally free NHS access, handfuls of forms and advise of how to claim more cash and legal aid when they are disputing a decision that they dislike and to really rub salt into the wounds, full voting rights in all elections & referendums. Yet when you get down to the truth, at least 50% of them hate the British and what we stand for, freedom, self determination and free choice, honesty and fairness to all. So if that is the case where people can enter Great Britain and are only there to grab our benefits and cash and half the time do not pay taxes at all and more than likely to break the laws of the land. What does our Government do? Absolutely NOTHING!!! They do nothing at all, yet these people are costing our country billions of pounds every year.
We the expats (about 5 million of us) cost the UK virtually nothing. we do not claim benefits or cash handouts or claim legal aid, nor do we use the NHS at all. All our medical requirements we have to pay for ourselves. We have to pay taxes in the land where we live and in some cases the UK too.
Yet the Government of the day and all previous one since Thatcher brought in the 15 year rule, have continued to do nothing to redress this most foul of vindictiveness in law.
Because most of us expats still hold our British nationality as well as our British passports, yet we are denied the right to vote in any of the UK's elections or referendums at all and where we live we do not always get the right to vote in any elections except the local one. I personally served my Queen for almost 12 years from the age of 15 years & 2 months in the RN. Then when I left the Navy I worked in the Water treatment for another 15 + years in many countries around the world. I was made redundant in 1984 there wasn't any work around at all, I made over 350 applications for employment and received 3 answers, two positions filled & the third one I was to old, 43 years and 6 months and I was to old!! I moved over to the Netherlands where my girlfriend lived and started from scratch again. I worked hard and long hours to try to get back some dignity into my life. After 6 years my girlfriend & I split up. So I had to find a place to live, rents were to high and it turned out to be cheaper to buy a house. So at 48 years old, I asked for a mortgage and much to my surprise I received one without any trouble at all! Okay, it is an old house I know, but, it is mine well almost. I can vote in local council and EU elections but nothing else at all. I never got any help at all and the officialdom was to say the least daunting. Not like the UK where a non British, non English speaking person gets it all for free. where is the justice in that?
Our voting rights are taken away from us and we have no rights for appeals or a judicial judgement on our lost rights. That is not justice in any shape or form and the British Government of the day should reinstate those rights now, 100% fully reinstated. Additionally, the expats world wide should automatically be included in all elections and referendums within the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Nortern Ireland.
As I stated at the start of this 'short' comment! We are the very best of British, the best advertisements for what is British. We get on with life even when hit by adversity, as they say. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again, above all we are BRITISH and shall be as long as we live. We deserve our right to vote in all elections and referendums held in the UK of GB & NI and we deserve it now and forevermore without exception. So please Mr Cameron, except our rights & reinstate them NOW!!
I live permanently in France, but as the recipient of an occupational pension from the British Govt, I am required to pay UK tax on this income regardless of where I live. As someone who will thus always be required to pay UK Income Tax, I think it is reasonable to always be allowed to vote in the UK elections that determine the level of taxation to which I am subjected. The phrase 'No Taxation without Representation' certainly comes to mind !
I am married to a German lady, and presently live in Hannover. I have been here since 2002, when I sold my modest property in the UK, so my right to vote in the UK will expire (under current legislation) in 2017. This means I will have one more opportunity to vote in a UK general election. Provided, that is, the system makes it possible for me to vote. The postal voting option is pointless, because the papers will not arrive on time. The proxy option is just as problematical. My best mate in my old constituency is very committed to another political party, and I cannot ask him. At the last election, I tried to enlist the help of the local constituency party, but they were overwhelmed on the day, and I do not believe that my vote was cast. We should all be able to vote on-line, but I see no evidence of a move in that direction.
Just as important in my view is to put pressure on as many MP's as possible to come up with a sensible explanation why ex-pats are not allowed to vote. The usual mantra is that ex-pats progressively lose touch with political developments and are therefore unable to make reasoned decisions at the ballot box. Well, I have news for the idiots who trot out this garbage. I, and I suspect 100% of the people who are involved, or are becoming involved in this campaign, have a rather more sophisticated approach to politics than many members of the electorate. Perhaps therein lies the problem. Which party would have most cause for concern if all 5 million of us were re-enfranchised? Are you sure?
Ah well. In response to the encouragement from the various websites, I will undertake to write to the sitting MP in my old constituency. I hold out no great hope of a serious or constructive response, but I will try.
Good morning all. Now I am about to prove my Englishness by tuning in, as usual, to TMS on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra. That alone should be enough to qualify me to vote!
Previous comments are all valid,,I have tried making my point as in many of these letters,and can agree,that nothing is being heard or seen,to write to an MP results in ether being ignored or the subject matter referred to someone else to deal with and the end result is a total disregard of our rights.
The fact that we are continuing to be taxed ,have made our contribution to a society we lived in for the most productive period of our lives,that those who fought for their country and still have a loyalty to their country,counts for nothing.is it right then for the UK to be described as a politically democratic country,? I think not. the i'm alright Jack syndrome is alive and kicking within the walls of Westminster,and so long as it is allowed to continue nothing will change .
The longer this selective injustice is allowed to continue,the more likely it will become the norm,and when injustice become law it will be impossible to fight our cause,we cannot allow this to happen.
There are times when we are powerless to prevent injustice but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
Sheila
This Government ,to which I am not allowed to vote for or criticise is nothing more than a virtual dictatorship . It only wants to be in the European Partnership on its own terms Just glad that I do not now live in the country where I was born, served in their armed forces,worked hard all my life and used to love.
God save the Queen and God help her sujects of which I am still one .
Pam and I moved to Spain eleven years ago. We first of all lost our Attendance Allowance for Pam's Mother who was suffering from Alzheimer's . The British Expats association led by two ex Barristers fought long and hard for us and eventually we received a part payment. There is still payments due to us for a 3 year period which has now been through Lower to higher Tribunal courts in UK. Again assisted by our ex pat association and it now looks like our very unwilling Sec of State is going to be forced to come up with the money.
The Winter Fuel Payment was another victory for our expats Barristers, forcing the Government to pay us ex pats the WFP here in Spain although it took five or six years of chasing our MP's through the International courts of Brussels. Now they are going to stop paying it to us and perhaps it will go to paying their latest disgusting pay rise. I cannot let you all know how low I feel that all members of our parliament are in my opinion.
All the suffering going on all over and the poorest are taking the biggest hits, while the rich bankers and CEO's are stuffing their nests as fast as they can.
I think that our MP's are going to ignore us at their peril.... we should all vote to remove the C of the Ex from his seat and see how he likes being out in the cold!!
I live in France and my old Council - South Holland - has always delivered my voting papers on time. However the return prepaid envelope does not work in France so I put the correct value stamp and airmail stamp & sticker and this seems to work.
I shall not be voting again for the present M.P. because I wrote to him and he replied, three months later, to the effect that he had just received my letter and would pass my suggestions to the ministers concerned. He would then send their replies to me. That over 2 years ago!
We have lived in France for 8 years, so have not yet reached the '15-year no vote' stage. However, in the past I used my brother as a proxy vote in UK elections as he lived in my old constituency area. But, since his death I have no-one else there whom I can ask. Importantly, the so-called alternative of sending a postal vote is laughable as there is never enough time to be sure my vote reaches the UK in time! When we are able to vote on-line, I will re-register to vote. Please can this be within the next 7 years (i.e. before the 15 year deadline)?
Have lived in France for 12 years and paid income tax there but all my income arises in the UK. Being able to continue voting in the UK, I may be able to influence policies which could affect that income.
After 38 years' service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces I will pay tax on my Service pension until the day I die; yet I shall lose my right to vote in the country that taxes me in 6 years' time.
No taxation without representation !
I am a British ex-pat who retired to Cyprus in 1993 and have therefore been disenfranchised of any vote in national by the policy of the British Govt in cancelling my UK vote after 15 years living outside the UK. I want my vote back! If the UK Govt wants to continue to claim 'death taxes' on my estate upon my death then they had better return my vote to me now.
I have lived in Spain for nearly 30 years but still have assets relating to the UK.It appears that,although I was able to serve my country in the WRAF,I seem to have less rights now than my grandmother had,being a householder, in the earlier part of the 1900`s. simply because I decided to live away from my birthplace.
The British Government appears hell-bent on ridding itself of the burden of pensioners. First the winter fuel allowance is being stolen from us expats living in Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Cyprus. (but not if you live in Italy, Kenya or India to name but a few): They claim to base their decisions on temperatures claiming that all of ours are higher than the UK! I wonder if they have ever been to India or Kenya which they actually deem as lower! Or to the European mainland in the depth of winter to experience just how cold it gets here.
There is a rumour, and governments mostly rule by rumour, that their longer term objective is to remove our pension rights altogether!
They are slowly but surely disenfranchising us of our right to vote in the UK elections - clearly they are afraid of a backlash at the polling booths. They have incresed the cost of renewing our passports and be sure they will steal them from us altogether in the long run. Can you imagine the day that you are expecting the arrival of your renewed passport to only be told that your passport is no longer valid and cannot be renewed! Ridiculous? Really? Well do not wait to find out. Make every protest that you can, sign every relevant petition or epetition, get your friends, family, neighbours and even strangers to join up and rebel against this eletist bunch.
I'm sure that the discrimination against us expats is in cotravention of Article 14 of the ECHR to which the UK is a signatory. However - this is all due to the politics of envy and the government is vote searching. Build an image of a group of people (1.5 million in Europe and 5 million worldwide) who they suggest are filthy rich and the 'have nots' will be feeding out of their oily hands.
So many of us move abroad because the various governments failed miserably to contain violence, the health service is a shambles and the cost of living in the UK is beyond most of us. There are always those who are rich and don't need this money but most of us are as hard up as these 'have nots'.
The Government wants all of us out of the system so they can pay more to the workshy and keep their votes. Most of us would be happy to have our pension income capped at 500 pounds per week!
Watch this clutch of untrustworthy politicians - they are even more dishonest than the mob that want to take over from them again. Use your vote, your mind, your mouth, your pen, your computer and of course the media. Do not leave it until it is too late.
My wife and I retired to France seven years ago. It would be good to have an expat MP to sort out:-
1. My bank and building society no longer give me the best interest rates on new accounts.
2. My health EHIC card no longer has a reciprocal agreement with Australia.
3. UK travel insurance companies will no longer give me cover.
I served nineteen years in the RAF and twenty two years in civilian flying so have paid a lot of tax and national insurance.
French resident (Bretagne), since 2 years.
We need an expats MP, and if the French government can make such arrangements, why not the British?
I live in Spain and in a few years will come under the 15 year rule and therefore unable to vote. My husband is a retired police officer and therefore his pension is taxed in the UK and cannot be transferred to the Spanish tax system. Therefore why shouldn't we always have a right to vote in the UK elections. We were living in Spain during the last two major elections but still never got the chance to vote. Although being registered as overseas residents with our local council in the UK, we never received the voting papers despite contacting them prior to the last election to check that we were still registered. We were told that they are not allowed to send out the postal votes until 10 days before the date of election. That in itself is a joke because it can take 10 days or more to receive UK mail and you still have to get it back to them within that time. However, to date, we have never ever received them despite receiving all other mail from the UK including the councils own annual correspondence asking us to sign to the effect that we are still overseas residents. Furthermore, when we re contacted them, on both occasions to report none receipt of these important postal voting papers, we were told that there is nothing they can do because their system shows that the forms were sent out!!
Surely in this day and age there must be ways to vote electronically, which would be both secure and private.
In all the years we have lived in Spain, we have always received our UK post with no problem apart from these voting papers. Interestingly, having spoken with other ex pats, it seems to have been a case of hit and miss with them as well, mostly miss.
What would the UK do if most of the expats returned, although I know a lot have done so already due to the crisis, and then needed housing, elderly or medical care and possibly even benefits?
I live in Spain and in a few years will come under the 15 year rule and therefore unable to vote. My husband is a retired police officer and therefore his pension is taxed in the UK and cannot be transferred to the Spanish tax system. Therefore why shouldn't we always have a right to vote in the UK elections. We were living in Spain during the last two major elections but still never got the chance to vote. Although being registered as overseas residents with our local council in the UK, we never received the voting papers despite contacting them prior to the last election to check that we were still registered. We were told that they are not allowed to send out the postal votes until 10 days before the date of election. That in itself is a joke because it can take 10 days or more to receive UK mail and you still have to get it back to them within that time. However, to date, we have never ever received them despite receiving all other mail from the UK including the councils own annual correspondence asking us to sign to the effect that we are still overseas residents. Furthermore, when we re contacted them, on both occasions to report none receipt of these important postal voting papers, we were told that there is nothing they can do because their system shows that the forms were sent out!!
Surely in this day and age there must be ways to vote electronically, which would be both secure and private.
In all the years we have lived in Spain, we have always received our UK post with no problem apart from these voting papers. Interestingly, having spoken with other ex pats, it seems to have been a case of hit and miss with them as well, mostly miss.
What would the UK do if most of the expats returned, although I know a lot have done so already due to the crisis, and then needed housing, elderly or medical care and possibly even benefits?
I live (retired) within the EU my occupational pension is taxed (By Law) within the UK -but I have no say at the ballot box!! is this justice??
we spent all our working lives in the UK, surely we should still have the right to have our voice heard
I am retired with my husband in France. We worked half our lives in Europe and taking away our voting rights is totally undemocratic.
It is quite wrong that we are to be penalised by not being able to vote in UK, have an UK MP who we can turn to and support. This is like the Boston Tea Party episode...we pay our taxes, we have a right to vote...forever.
I spent my entire working life in England and receive a UK pension..
Surely I should have the right to choose who best looks after my interests?
I am resident in Luxembourg (>12 years) and will shortly lose my UK vote.
I am not allowed a national vote in Luxembourg despite being a taxpayer.
The EU should intervene to make it a law for any EU resident paying taxes to be allowed to vote where they pay their taxes. No taxes without representation was the basis of the foundation of the USA - why should Europe be different?
Individuals should always have a vote either in their home country or country of residence.
I am a UK Citizen recently retired to France but after some years I will lose my right to a national vote in any country even though I pay taxes in France & am taxed on my teachers pension in the UK. I believe that there are so many UK citizens living in France, we should have our own représentatives in the UK parliament as do the French living in the UK. Otherwise how can the expats point of view be considered?
I live in Helsinki Finland but I inherited my parents home in the country of Angus in Scotland. I am not eligible to vote in any elections in the UK but Angus Council levy the full council tax even though my work obliges me to live and work in rented accommodation in Helsinki.
Both my husband and I are retired and living in France
I live in France but as a Local Government pensioner am obliged to pay my taxes in UK. I contribute to the well being of UK but have no say in it's future. I doubt that the present government given its Eurosceptic views will be vigorous in explaining how I might be able to vote in any future referendum. I believe that the UK parliament should have a quota of MP's representing UK citizens inthe European Union.
France
I live in France.
Thank you Stuart Smith for your comprehensive input based on your personal experience of being deprived of the right to vote from overseas by the current 15-year-rule. As the website administrator I would just like to add a clarification to your comment that "It was Margaret Thatcher I believe that removed our voting rights, that was a bad move on her part. She had been given bad advice over this issue ......"
Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979 and finally stood down on November 28th, 1990. However, during her time as Prime Minister the following Acts impacting the voting rights of British citizens living abroad were passed:
- The Representation of the People Act 1985 which first granted voting rights for British citizens living abroad, for up to 5 years after they last appeared on the Electoral Register.
- The Representation of the People Act 1989 which extended this overseas voting period to 20 years.
This period was subsequently reduced to the current 15-year-limit by the Political Parties, Elections & Referendums Act 2000.
Administrator
I have worked and lived in the Netherlands permanently since 1984 when I was made redundant from a UK company.
Before that I was in the RN for twelve years having joined at the age of 15 years and two months.
Upon leaving the RN in 1968 I had two other jobs before joining a Water Treatment company and started to travel the world again. This work took me to places near and far across the world, yet at all times I had the right to vote when necessary until 1999. Fifteen years after I moved to the Netherlands, I lost the right to vote within the UK of GB & NI, yet I was not informed of this loss to my rights.
So when I eventually found out that these had been removed from me I had to make a decision. That if I wanted to regain them I would have to return to the UK. Or if stay in the Netherlands where I was employed and was buying my own home, I would not be able to vote in the UK.
In the Netherlands I would be only allowed vote in the local and EU elections.
I would not a burden to the UK establishment, but would become so if I returned to the UK without work or a place to live.
I researched the options within the UK for employment and housing and even had my family and in-laws helping me. Yet, after all this researching for over three years the plain answer was, there was no work for me. Nor could I get a mortgage to buy a home, renting was not an option as landlords or housing associations would not touch expats without employment and by now I was too old in the eyes of the establishment as they frequently liked to tell me.
Now do I become a Netherlands citizen to get a vote in all elections here in Holland and have to lose my rights as a British national?
Or do I remain a British subject, who in the eyes of his own country has lost all rights to take part in the future formation of the land of his birth?
I choose to be a British national and carry a British passport which I shall be renewing in September this year (2013). I will remain a Brit forever and no Government has the right to remove my rights without my consent. Which I would definitely not give them, as I find this too be a despicable act on the part of the Government at the time and of all preceding Governments since then for not removing this obnoxious act of law.
I'm the best advert for Great Britain they will ever get and the other five million expats I am sure feel the same way. No matter for what reason we became expats you must remember we were born in the United Kingdom, this land is our birthright and we wish to use that right to help shape its future at all times.
It was Margaret Thatcher I believe that removed our voting rights, that was a bad move on her part.
She had been given bad advice over this issue and we the expats were never consulted over this proposal, we should have been!!
It is my fervent wish that the Government of the day reinstate without exception to all expats, the voting rights as accorded to all British nationals and subjects who reside within the borders of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Five million of us expats are being deprived of our birthright why, because we live abroad?
We are not a burden to the land of our birth at all nor do we wish to be so. By giving us the right to vote in all UK elections and referendums will not change that stance either.
We ask for those lost rights to be reinstated directly to all expats, we are not criminals or any burden to the UK so please stop treating us as if we were!!
I have lived in Switzerland for 17 years and my right to vote was annulled arbitrarily in 2011. (Since turning 18 in 1954 I had never missed voting in a British General Election. From 2008 I have been fairly active in trying to get the UK's Electoral Law changed so that Britons can have a lifetime right to vote no matter where they live or for how long they are abroad. It has become clear to me that -- although Expats pay UK taxes on their Pensions and other UK income -- a majority of MPs do not want Expats to have the vote. This may be because it means extra work for them. The excuse that Expats inevitably lose touch with UK political matters is untrue in this Age of Instantaneous Universal Communication. I watch the UK news on several TV, Satellite and Internet channels and often follow debates in both Houses of Parliament when they are in session, so I am probably better informed about UK political matters than the majority of UK residents. Many other British Expats are equally well informed. The negative attitude of the UK Parliament is indefensible because it is contrary to the democratic principles and policies enshrined in UN and EU statutes.
I have lived in the Netherlands for over 30yrs where my husband worked for a Dutch company..recently moved to Portugal as we are now retired..It has always galled me that we have paid huge amounts of tax in the UK ,Netherlands and now Portugal but have had very little say in how our tax money is spent or indeed any say in politics at home or abroad ..Its as if we dont exist accept in the tax mans ledger...I feel there is a strong need for an ex-pats political party...we are not insubstantial. in numbers .and our voice should be heard..If they can take our money ,they can take our vote...
Resident in Portugal. Ridiculous! Of course after 15 years we should, at the very least, have the right to vote on a national level, not just local, as a EU citizen in the country of our residence paying taxes, even if no longer the right to vote in the one of our nationality. Or at least be given the choice of the right to vote in the country of residence or our country of nationality.
I receive a UK government pension which is taxed in the UK. I cannot understand why I can have no vote in the UK, just because I am resident in France in retirement. I was resident in many countries during my government service, mostly outside the EU but, was then allowed the vote. Why the change just because I am retired?
As an 86 year old native British Citizen who, after 67 years living and working in UK including serving in the armed forces during World War 2, chose to retire to Portugal ( a founder member of the EU ) in 1994, I was taken off the UK electoral roll in 2009 and now have no say in the choice of government of my native country from which all my income comes in the form of pensions. Nor will I have a vote in any UK referendum about whether he UK should stay in the EU, an issue which will affect me profoundly.
I have French, German and American friends who have left their countries longer ago than I have but are all still able to vote in their national elections. It seems to me time for the UK to recognise its loyal citizens and give hem back their voting rights. Good luck to you and Lord Lexden.
My British husband and our two children have lived in the Netherlands for more than 20 years now. I find it disgraceful that even though we all have UK passports and are British citizens we are disenfranchised in this way. I was just shocked at how much more it cost to renew a UK passport here (double the charge for a UK resident) and find I have no recourse to express my concern over this - I can 'contact my MP' (subtext - if you have one). I studied with the British Open University until it priced itself out of the market - again, no voice to register my concern over things that very much concern me as an ex-pat. I was totally astonished when I found out that I lost my right to vote when I lived her for more than 15 years - I thought the right to vote was a basic human right in a democratic society.
b.c.resident.brit.pensioner.should.be.able.to.vote.and.pension.should.be.indexed.most.unfair.
ditto last comment from David Lewis
I have been resident in the Netherlands. I feel I should have the right to vote in either UK general elections or, as an EU citizen, the right to vote in Dutch general elections.
The Electoral Commision rules for a UK non resident : APPLY TO THE ELECTORAL OFFICE WHERE LAST REGISTERED . I have done that specificaly to document the fact that I was REFUSED to register to vote . However dispite demanding the written / historical word on this matter from the Registration Officer (which in my case is in Scotland) and pointing out that the legal line of legislation by WESTMINSTER is DEFECTIVE and is contrary to EU COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECISSIONS - YES THERE HAS BEEN RULINGS AGAINST WESTMINSTER " DISENFRANCHISEMENT CONSTITUTES IN INTERNATIONAL LAW LOSS OF NATIONAL IDENTITY" I am still disenfranchised . The defect in Law in my case is that Representation of the People Act 1985 Scotland ( = total right to vote / similar legislation to 1985 Act England ) is that the latter Act of 2000 Election / Referendum ENGLAND and WALES is not the appropriate Act to modify a Representation of the people Act Scotland !!!! more to the point was the Clause ADDED to this latter Act to negate the LIFETIME RIGHT TO VOTE actually made available to ALL Westminster MP's ? - custom is that the 3 legal entities of UK MP's vote only for legislation for their relevent constituency / jurisdictions ie N Ireland OR Scotland OR England Wales EXCEPT for UK ACTS . REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLES ACTS are not UK ACTS they are relevent only to the afforementioned jurisdictions . More cyniclly the Exclusion Clause added to the Election, Polical Parties 2000 Act was created to mitigate the chance that expats could not inflate the Electoral Roll to vote in ( Independence) Referendums . With the onset of promises to hold Referendums BY YOU KNOW WHO to vote in or out of EU the issue RE LAWFUL REPRESENTATION is possibly of wider interest to UK Expats. Questions then to be answered in the event of " UK" NO to EU vote WHO WILL SUPPLY EU IDENTITY CARDS / EU PASSPORTS to us lot EHR court???!!! After all that I hope Expats will follow the legislation of UK and apply to the Electoral Office to vote - like me
I live in Canada and I am receiving a "frozen" pension from the U.K. So, I would like to have someone
representing me in the U.K. parliament !
British citizen living and paying taxes within the European Union for 25 years (much of this time working for Britsh owned companies). I have never come across a convincing argument for removing the voting rights of British citizens, (especially when many of them are proudly supporting and/or exporting British goods, services and values!). Voting rights are a basic, non negotiable human right linked to nationality. Britain fights abroad often in the name of democracy and universal suffrage. Denying the voting rights of its own citizens is frankly, disgraceful and dishonest. Urgent reform should a matter of honour for legislators. The issue is not complex at all.
Reside in France [5 years]
As ballot papers are only sent out a couple of weeks before an election, due to postal delays, there is insufficient time to receive and return my vote. This is unacceptable and urgently needs reform.
I have lived in worked in France for over twenty years. I find it incredible that as a British citizen and French tax payer I can only vote in European elections and local council elections.I think we should be able to choose whether to vote in french or British general elections.
I live in France and believe that expats should have their own MP and representation in the British Parliament.
I also believe that expats should have the right to all benefits that UK residents have, especially those residing in the EU
We live in France. In addition to removing the absurd and unjust 15 year rule, I think that expats should have their own MPs in the Commons. By comparison, French citizens have 11 MPs for its expats.
I currently reside in the UK, but own a property in France which I intend to retire to in the next 18 months. I will not be entitled to vote in France (except for village council and EU elections), so will eventually lose my right to elect the government anywhere, neither French nor British, unless I become a French citizen.
If I remain a British citizen, with a British passport, why should I not be entitled to vote for the British government?
We have been resident in France for 3 years and registered for an overseas vote when we left. While we accept that the UK government and embassies consider us an inconvenience, we think we should have continuing voting rights the same as our European partners.
We have been resident in France for 3 years and registered for an overseas vote when we left. While we accept that the UK government and embassies consider us an inconvenience, we think we should have continuing voting rights the same as our European partners.
I live in France and will shortly become disenfranchised. My children were born in the UK and moved here when very young. When they become 18, they will have no voting rights anywhere. This is an unbelievable situation to find oneself in as an EU citizen exercising a right to free movement. When compared to the efforts France and other countries make to allow their expats to vote, this exposes a shameful democratic deficit of the UK.
Have lived in France for 5 years, pay tax in UK and want a say in how the government use my taxes, want to have a voice in the referendum and want the health costs sorted out by the UK government, as per the excellent work done by Brian Cave in France, through his tireless efforts on our behalf.
David Hart
Having lived in Australia for over 9 years, I can still vote in the UK, and have arranged a postal vote. However in another 6 years, I shall lose that right, if the present rules still apply, and as I cannot vote in Australia, unless I take up Australian citizenship, I will then have no franchise at all.
This is clearly grossly unfair, and needs to be remedied. Like frozen UK pensions for ex-pats in Commonwealth countries, it is another example of arrogant discrimination against a particular category of British citizens.
I live in Germany.As a retired British civil servant, I have no option to pay tax on mycivil service pension anywhere except Britain. I should have a right to vote if I am forced to pay tax there. With the possibility of Eu membership being an election issue and a referendum on continued membership, Brits liviing in Europe should have the right to vote. This issue affects us directly. Is there no scope under Eu rights of contesting this, like the removal of prisoners voting rights? If Italy can manage to organise voting for its many expats surely the UK even in its present state of decadence could.
I live in Germany where the right to vote in national elections is based on nationality rather than residence, the latter being the UK criterion.
I live in the United Kingdom, but I have a disenfranchised father in Hong Kong who is employed by a British firm.
With 2,250 votes registered on this site in some 2 years votes for expats would appear to be a less than burning issue as far as most of us are concerned. Either the majority consider that they have already voted with their feet and there is nothing left to be said or else there is a complacencey induced by the lack of a prominent focal point and mechanism for action. What a pity.
I have lived in Tokyo for more than 30 years but still have a home in the UK which I visit at least twice a year, and family and friends whom I see as much as possible. I receive pensions both from the state and from my long employment with British companies whom I represented in Japan for 25 years. This makes me a UK taxpayer.
When the ECHR ruled that convicted prisoners should be entitled to vote I was so incensed that I wrote to David Cameron to ask why my human rights as an expat were of less importance than those of an axe murderer. Predictably the reply from his minion did not answer my point but did state that "the UK voting franchise is not based exclusively on being a UK taxpayer", citing foreign nationals resident in the UK paying tax but not being eligible to vote.
That argument cuts no ice at all. Most of us believe in the concept of "no taxation without representation" but that applies not to us, but to Americans. Any UK citizen who is not in jail or mentally unfit should be allowed to vote in his own country irrespective of where he lives in the world, especially those who pay UK tax. As so many have pointed out, this is the position of almost every other expat from other countries.
I cannot understand where the ridiculous 15 year rule comes from ( it was 20 years until 2002 ), or what British political parties have to lose by perpetuating this grossly unfair system.
Agree entirely with Tricia, we live permanently in France but all pensions paid from UK, where we spent most of our working lives. Of course what happens there matters to us .... our lives, financially, depend on it! French friends can't believe we have no right to vote.
Couldn't agree more with both Roland and Brian Harvey. Although in principle I retain the right to vote, our UK-local authority gets the papers out so late that it is impossible to return them in time, whereas a friend's ex-voting authority manages it. Unfair, undemocratic and a pig's ear of a mess, is how I'd describle EU legislation on the subject.
My partner and I live permanently in France but receive our state pensions and small private pensions from the UK. The state of the British economy is therefore very important to us and we feel it is essential that we are able to continue to vote for the political party we think will do the best job for us and for the United Kingdom.
I live and work in France, am a British Citizen and plan one day - when I retire perhaps - to return home. My children are in the UK and I still own property there. I therefore do not wish to renounce my British citizenship. However, I find that my loyalty to my own country will be rewarded by the loss of the right to vote either in the UK or in France. I find this disenfranchisement absolutely extraordinary within a so called democratic society. Women died in the last century in order that other women should get the right to vote. I will fight to keep mine.
Austria - Having exercised my right to freedom of movement in the EU, I will soon lose a key political right. I do not wish to change my nationality (pointless in Europe anyway) just to win the right to vote. I would like to see it possible to select where you place your vote in the same way you can for EU elections (place of origin OR place of residence).
I don't see why I should have to pay my taxes in the EU country which I earn them if I am not given the right to say what is done with them.
I've lived in Canada since 1967 and receive a 'frozen' British pension. I fully support the aims of your organization and wish you success.
I live in Spain, at the moment I still have the right to vote in the UK but believe that, as I have a public service pension on which I pay tax in the UK I should retain my vote for life.
I know the politicians say that where you pay tax is not essential to give you the right to vote
but I would also point out that an ex-pat renewing their passport, has to pay and extra charge which is said to be to support the Consulates in foreign countries in their work to help UK citizens who need their help. That being the case we are paying for UK civil servants to be employed abroad and this is another reason why we should retain the vote for life
Even during the 15 years when we are permitted to vote, the timescale makes it most unlikely that your vote counts. Papers cannot be sent to you until the candidates list closes, then the electorial officer in your last residence in the UK has to send you the papers, you complete them and return them. Given the Spanish postal system, and the reliance on them being sent out at the first opportunity, post them back to the returning officer - my first attempt, with no delay on my part, missed the election date, and I think probably the second one as well. As things stand the next general election will be the last for me. It is about time on line voting was introduced, are we not in the 21st century? You wouldn't think so!
Based in the UK, I believe it is every citizen's right to vote for the government of his birth and nurture, wherever he resides. He should also be allowed to vote for the government of any state wherein he pays taxes and/or community costs.
"No taxation without representation" cost the British people a sizeable part of their empire once. A similar condition could indicate the break-up of the UK?
Resident in France since April 2002 and am registered as an overseas elector. I pay Uk and French taxes as was a local government employee. Not taxation without representation please
Sue Hicks - Pezenas
Lived abroad for 40 years but am now back in UK. I know that expatriates make an important contribution to Britain in many ways. They should be enfranchised and not cast off or out.
Typical "couldn't care less" and lethargy rule most expats on this issue. But I do care and I DO want to see that we continue to have the vote in our homeland.
I pay my taxes to the UK Government and have completed annual tax returns for the French since arriving here in 2004. I am now being charged tax by the French on my British pensions (based in the main on pensions from HM Forces and the Civil Service), so of course I am writing to UK MPs and Lords on the matter. Without the right to vote, I have absolutely no say nor access to complain about the matter to those who tax me! To paraphrase another important event in British history - "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION".
David
Brittany, France
I have lived permanently in France since 2003 so I only have 6 years of voting left under the current rules. However, as I am in receipt of a British Government pension, I must always by law pay income tax on that pension in the UK for the rest of my life. So in 6 years time I will still have to pay UK income tax, but will not be able to vote and thus influence how much that tax may be, or how it may be spent. This will amount to Taxation Without Representation, which in my view is wholly unacceptable.
For all those in my position I believe that the answer is simple: Either give us the indefinite right to vote because we pay income tax indefinitely, or simply cancel our obligation to pay UK income Tax at the same time as our right to vote is taken away.
Resident in Portugal, my Portuguese friends who are resident in the UK and other countries have the right to vote in national elections. My British friends & I living here for more than 15 years do not.
It is possible to be active politically, and I am proud to have been invited to join the list for local elections and to take part actively in local politics. However, that does not provide us with the basic right of participation in national decision taking.
However, UK nationals living within the EU lose their rights to vote in national elections, and are European citizen paying taxes but without representation on how those taxes are set - neither in their country of residence nor in their country of nationality. A growing population in Europe is being disenfranchised. Is it surprising that there is a growing disaffection with national politics.
My wife and I left UK in 1988 to work in the Middle East and we retired to France in 2001. We are both on small State and Teachers' pensions. We are politically interested in what happens in UK, France, Europe and the rest of the world and are active members of a political discussion group for Brits in this region. We can vote for the mayor and for the the European parliament, but that is all. We are disenfranchised from anything else. Democracy? Ideally, we would like to make the choice whether we vote in France or Britain, but as things are it is totally wrong. Change is needed.
Let's get into line with other advanced countries and enable expats to vote in their country of origin. I live in France and can vote in local and European elections but not, understandably, in national elections. In a few years time I will not be able to vote in the national elections of either UK or or France. Is that democratic?