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I moved from the UK in 1982 to Australia with my family of 4 and I reckon I have saved the British Health service quite a lot of money. I would like to have a say in British politics and would like the British Govt. to change their stance on not indexing pensions paid to expats living in Australia and similar countries.
My decision to reside and raise a family in Australia has saved the British Taxpayer years of educational medical and dental costs for 11 people. Simillarly employment positions have not been required. My pension entitlement will be frozen at the date of the first payment unless I return to the UK, EU or other privileged country.
Now the vote has been withdrawn. Democracy and fairness at work? I think not. Please support British Pensioners in Australia.
Fair play. We have paid for our pension. Treat everybody the same.
We agree with comments from John Partridge, and live in Australia since 1974.
I have no right to the vote having become a citizen of Australia, however the frozen pension is totally immoral while brits in other countries continue to receive their idexed pensions. It puts "The Old Country: in a very bad light!!!
I am a resident of Australia and the pension rate I received on reaching the qualifying age
17 years ago desn't bear any relation to the buying power of a Stg pound today - it is virtually vaueless!
Australia
Having paid UK taxes all my working life in the UK, but now suffering from the inequity of a frozen pension because I have chosen to live in Australia (where I cannot vote unless I become an Australian citizen) we should at least have a voice in those UK policies which affect us. Also if the UK wishes to strengthen its ties with Commonwealth countries (as stated by William Hague earlier this year) it cannot afford to ignore ex-pats' hardships, compared with those in the EU, USA etc.
We still have great regard for our birth country (England) and have many friends and relatives there. We have a right to a British passport still. John is a UK taxpayer. We value our ability to still have an influence on a great country. Please don't take it away from us.
Two more supporters for the rights to vote from Australia.
I live in Australia and I strongly object to the meagre pensions remaining static. A vote will increase our chances of something being done, especially as it seems you are better off as an illegal immigrant rather than a pensioner!!!
Although I reside in Australia, I do not have Australian citizenship. I therefore have no voting rights in either country yet, my only income is derived from UK sources where I worked full time for 43 years and that income is taxed at source by the UK government. I want to have some say in who has membership of this government.
The attitude displayed by the British Government (no doubt dictated by Europe) is cynical to say the least. I was born and raised in the UK, I met and married an Australian citizen in the UK, we lived and worked there for 32 years of our 40 years of marriage, not only did he never lose his Australian voting rights, he was also able to vote in UK elections, whilst still retaining his Australian passport. Understandably perhaps, when we retired, my husband wanted to return home, he is now buried here, so this is where I shall remain, with an iniquitous frozen pension(on which I am taxed ) and it would appear, the prospect of losing my right to vote in the UK - frankly, I find that I do not want to live in a country that would deny it's citizens the right to choose to live where they wish, and impose penalties on them if they do. I shall however continue to visit, home is after all home. Shame on you UK Government.
Arrived Australia 1970. Not only voting rights but also pension indexing
I have lived in Australia since 1973 and still hold a british passport and object to my British Pension being frozen and losing my right to vote.
I migrated fro the UK to Australia 6 years ago and my meagre pension is frozen. My voting rights are also lost.
I have and my wife have lived in Australia since 1964,after emigrating from the UK. and are
disgusted by the way we are treated over our British Pension. We object to our pensions being
frozen. We also object to losing our voting rights.
Another vote from Australia to correct this current system of loss of voting and pensions that loose value every year.
Perfidious Albion How apt yet when the time comes its the UK Govt that sends its call out for its "cubs" to give assistance etc, and expects that aid! Australia
I live in Australia and strongly object to my UK pensions (Wife and I) being frozen when pensioners in other countries are not. I also object to losing my voting rights.
I live in Australia but I still have an active interest in what goes on in UK. I have a British passport and I want my right to vote oin elections.
I live in Australia. As a Briton and an Australian I believe in fairness in all matters relating to pensions regardless of domicile.
Working and paying National Insurance in the UK for 22 years, then emigrating to Australia on a contract and continuing to pay NI to ensure a reasonable UK pension. Now, 7 years into retirement I find that:-
a/ I have no right to vote in UK elections (what should be a basic democratic right as a citizen of the UK) and that this leaves me unable to change
b/ The onerous situation whereby my UK pension is totally frozen as of pension age 7 years ago.
If I had retired to Bali, my UK pension would be fully indexed -------- disgraceful !!
The non indexation of expats pensions is totally undemocratic as it applies in some countrys and not others.
Living in Australia since 1967, and still have my UK passport.
All UK pensions should be indexed, not just selected countries. This is a form of discrimination based on country of residence.
Just because I now live in Australia I don't think I should loose my right to vote.
Australia
I am one of the many, aprroximately 500,000 UK pensioners who live in the Commonwealth countries and whose UK pension is not uprated (indexed). This completely irrational policy - indexed in USA but not in Canada - indexed in some Carribean countries but not in others - can only be sustained by UK politicians because we do not have a voice. If we could vote - this treatment of UK taxpayers and National Insurance Contributors could be changed and fairness restored.
France
I work for a European company with major design and manufacturing units in the UK. The part of the company I work for is in France, and because I have now worked in France for more than 15 yrs I have lost my right to vote. It is ridiculous that I have no right to vote in the UK just because I work for a pan-European company.
I live in Australia and I believe there should be no restriction on voting for all UK citizens, above a certain age, providing they are mentally sound and able to read and write.
Ex pat been in Australia since 1971 visit U.K. regulary to visit family
My family still live in the UK and I visit often so am still concerned with what decisions are made and how it affects myself and my extended family. The 15 year rule is just another example of buracratic stupidity. My father, a resident of south africa, died recently in abject poverty - having had to survive on 17 pound a week pension (frozen) for 28 years. Surely politicians understand the word inflation and its eroding force. I am now caught in the same trap in Australia and need input into UK policy making.
I am an ex-pat living in Australia. I really don't think that UK politicians understand the importance of the ex pat community abroad and their effect on the UK economy. I , probably one of many, have in the past been responsible for recommending the purchase of high cost capital equipment for a large international corporation. In that role when choices had to made between competing suppliers and all things were equal, I have favoured UK companies when making these decisions. This is but one beneficial example that UK ex pats have on the UK economy. I am sure that other people can give further examples.
I have been living in Australia since 1970 my family lives in UK whom I visit every four years
You tax us, you have frozen our pensions and are now trying to deny us the right to vote.
Where are we heading.?
SHOULD WE BE PROUD TO BE BRITISH?
Perth, Australia.
I reside in Australia, but I paid taxes in the UK until I was 62 and have a UK passport so I should have the right to vote.
I don't believe in discrimination - DO YOU?
More support from Australia.
I live in Australia and still have close family living in Scotland. I also hold a British passport
I live in Australia and still hold a UK passport
I live in Australia,BUT,if I am entitled to carry a UK passport,which I am,I logically should Have a right to vote!!
I live in Australia.
I live in Australia. Although I have no interest in voting in the UK personally I do believe it is wrong that any expat should be denied the right to vote, especially if they are still paying tax or their income/pension is affected by decisions made by 'pollies' in the UK. With regard to the frozen pension disgrace - I think it is outragious that certain Commonwealth countries have their UK Pension frozen and yet expats from non Commonwealth countries receive indexed pensions. I paid into the NI scheme for many years before and since coming to Australia and should be entitled to the same pension as if I were in the UK. Thanks to Jim Tilley for his never ending push to have our UK pension indexed.
I live in Australia.
We are living in Australia.
We emigrated to Australia to join our married children but as temporary residents only
I live in Australia and see no reason why I am excluded from the right to vote in my home country
I have lived in australia since 1970. While in England, I paid NI stamps and while in Australia I paid voluntary extra contributions. My money has been accepted just as though I lived in the UK and if I return to the UK my pension would be indexed. Why is it not indexed now? This is unjust and discriminatory. I feel that some portion of the money I contributed may now be used by the UK Government to fund other UK residents. I hold a UK/European Union passport and believe that I should have an indexed pension and should also have the right to vote.
I am a permanant resident of Australia since 1975 and am also a UK citizen born in 1944, it irks me to put it mildly, that beuracrats in Westminster continue to discriminate against me regarding my right to an indexed pension, which I might add I have paid for in good faith via my compulsary N I stamp since age 17 . I wonder if a beuracrat from UK decided to emigrate to Australia he/she would be as incenced by the current state of affairs as the rest of UK Passport holders residing in Australia.
Long live democracy.
A ridiculous situation. I have steam coming out of my ears!
I have lived in Australia for 30 years and used to love my home country. Unfortunately, I think the UK has decidedly gone downhill, for many years now, so this is just another of the Governments unfair and unjust cockeyed view of their MP's.
Frozen pensions, if you don't live in the right country and now taking away the right to vote. These people think they are tin gods. What right do they have in doing this to us. ?
I will support any thing you can do for us Mr. Jim Tilley, as I still think our frozen pension is outrageous. As I get older, it will become more useless.
Thank you for anything you can do for us>
I support the right to vote for all full UK passport holders where ever they live
IF THE CURRENT 'INVASION' FROM NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES CONTINUES (AS IT WILL), BRITAIN WILL EVENTUALLY BE SUBJUGATED UNDER "SHARIA" LAW, GOVERNED BY MUSLIMS, AND EVENTUALLY MAYBE EVEN NO LONGER ENGLISH-SPEAKING AS THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE. YOU WILL NEED EVERY VOTE FROM EX-PATS YOU CAN MUSTER JUST TO SLOW THIS INEVITABLE PROCESS. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA WITH REFUGEES, BUT OUR SITUATION IS NOT AS DIRE AS YOURS, --- A.F., QUEENSLAND.
Support from Australia
Australian resident
I live in Australia, have dual British/Australian Citizenship and should therefore be able to vote in UK.
support from Australia
how dare they try this on.Support from Australia
I am a British citizen currently living in Australia and I worked and paid tax in London as a legal secretary for many years. My ancestry is British and I maintain my right to vote for the government of that country to which I belong.
We lived and worked in UK until we retired at 65. an 60. My husband also served in the Guards for three years as a young man. We have been here in Australia for almost nine years and have paid taxes in UK. We always voted when living in UK and do not agree that our pensions should be frozen causing considerable hardship.
In Australia
I support both the opportunity to vote in an election and the right to an indexed pension for life.
Just because we live outside the E.U. why should we be discriminated against!
I live in Australia and I agree that British Expats who pay tax or otherwise have any sort of financial relationship with any UK based organisation (eg British pensioners living overseas anywhere) should have a voice. I and my wife receive non-indexed British pensions but currently have no opportunity to vote or otherwise have a say in this outragous situation.
More strength to your elbow
OH forgot ,Yes I would like my VOTE
nz citizen uk born living australia
Why should usa pensions be indexed and not commonwealth counties,what is it about Usa thats different.
nz citizen uk born living australia
Why should usa pensions be indexed and not commonwealth counties,what is it about Usa thats different.
Briton did not develop, nurture and defend the concept of democracy simply to allow bureaucrats to disenfranchise its people who choose to live overseas.
Both Australian & UK Citizen....
I support both the opportunity to vote in an election and the right to an indexed pension for life.
Just because we live outside the E.U. why should we be discriminated against!
currently residing in Australia. I am an Australian resident entitled to a state pension if I lived in the UK but receiving only the not indexed discriminatory variety. Surely as British citizens we should enjoy pension and voting equal rights wherever we live.
Resident in Australia. My husband was British as were both our parents and their parents.
Support from Australia
I live in Australia I served in the british Army and the Australian Army all up 30 years, and
we still belong to the commonwealth and we all deserve to Vote and our pensions indext
what ever country we decide to live in and for the record I still look upon the Qeen as our
head of state. I have lived in Australia for the past 47 years.
Currently residing in Australia
I served in the R.N. from 1943 till 1957 in the North Sea and Atlantic and was also in the first Landing Force ashore to re-take Hong Kong from the Japs in 45. I also served in the Korean War from it's inception till1951. I receive no pension for my service to my country and oppose my loss of voting rights in the country I was prepared to lay my life down for.
Resident in Australia
Resident in Australia
I migrated to Australia in 1980 and became Australian resident soon thereafter. I see no justification for the British Government to deny voting rights to a British Passport Holder thereby stripping us of rights to have a small say in how the country should be run.
I am a "Permanent Resident" of Australia but do spend times living and working in the UK as I have family living there. I have also lived in New Zealand for a period.
David
Ex-RNer (did 23 years service) now living in New South Wales, Australia - I support this petition.
Im an Australian resident entitled to a full state pension if I lived in the UK but receiving only the not indexed discriminatory variety. Surely we should enjoy the same rights as residents.
After reading most of the preceeding comments - or more likely, drivel - is it possible that the U.K. government will ever take seriously organisations that present legitimate claims such as the inexcusible treatment of ex pats pension rights. An important qualification to vote is based upon U.K. residence on a certain day. The main argument against such a condition being that the claimant doesn't have to be british. With regard to ex pats - who presumably have sought citizenship or 'Landed immigrant status' in their new country - they have a voice in their adopted domicile. So how many different voices do they wish to offer. As for expats paying taxes on income derived from U.K. earnings, where is the problem and which country doesn't seek to do the same.
Let's not waste time on such non important trivialities but put more effort into justifiable claims such as the frozen pension treatment of certain ex pats.
I live in Sydney Australia and still look upon The Queen as our Head of State.
Just about every other country allows it's nationals to vote abroad.
This situation is outragous and unjustifiable.
I live in Australia and frequently return to UK but I want the right to vote in my home country to vote against any government who persists in the iniquitous pension freeze they still operate.
Moved to Australia in 1994
I support James Preston
I support James Preston
I am a UK citizen (also holding Australian citizenship) currently living in Australia. I feel much affection, gratitude and great pride in my continuing ties to the country where I was born, educated and lived my first 37 years. I would not have applied for Australian citizenship if it had meant giving up my UK citizenship. I feel very sad that the UK does not seem to have any reciprocal attachment to its ex-pats and, in fact, appears to demonstrate a rather cavalier "Out of sight, out of mind" attitude towards them.
There are many, diverse reasons that UK citizens find themselves living outside the UK, and country of residence does not diminish the love and loyalty that most ex-pats hold for the country of their birth.
I live in Australia and object to my UK pension being frozen.
I am very upset to find that in a couple of years I will be disenfranchised and I support the right to vote in the Uk for British Expats campaign. In fact my preference would be to have the option to vote in the country where I am resident (France) in national elections as well as local and european elections. I have lived, worked and paid tax in France for 13 years now, I have voted in France for local and European elections but am unable to vote in the national elections, this is unfair and does not help my integration into the European country where I live. But if I cannot choose where I can vote, at least let me vote in the UK where I also pay taxes and which I visit frequently.
Ex-pats in Australia ,Canada, South Africa and other countries have their pensions frozen, ie no indexation, whereas expats in USA, Europe etc do receive indexation. Why? No good reason....just where you live.
And we all contributed weekly during our working life in UK. Give us the vote in UK elections and we can have some influence on the MPs who continue to support this iniquitous, unfair discrimination.
I am a UK pensioner living in Australia. My pension has been frozen at the same rate for the past 20 years. I visit my family in UK regularly and remain vitally interested in the activities of the British Government. I am particularly concerned at the government's continuing failure to index UK pensions in many commonwealth countries including Canada, Australia and South Africa. The right to vote is important.
I have lived in Poland since 2001. I strongly support this issue and have had regular correspondence with my MP for several years. The latest information I have is that the UK government intends to review the situation, but I would not expect this to happen in the short term. It seems to me that without the vote in either ones country of citizenship or ones country of residence, one is, in effect, stateless.
Resident in Lyon, France.
Although I have no interest in voting in the UK personally I believe it is wrong that any expat who has not taken citizenship of the country in which they live should be denied the right to vote, and particularly if they are still paying tax or their income/pension is affected by decisions politicians in the UK can make. The Politicians should be held accountable for their decisions (and non decisions) - as per the Frozen Pension disgrace. Thankfully I live in Australia.
I live in Mexico and receive a UK pension. Not only do I not have the right to vote but my government pension also does not increase with inflation.
I live in France. My income comes from the UK and is taxable there. I deeply resent the fact that in this 21 century that my wife and I are disenfranchised. This surely must be against our human rights as British subjects.
I like many other expats living in France resent very much the fact that I cannot vote in the UK elections. I still pay my taxes in the UK and will do so until the day I die. What we need is an MP who will rpresent us in Europe and the UK. To bring about the necessary changes.
Living in Portugal and so glad to find this website and be able to add my name to the petition to try and get this absurd outdated legislation dropped.
Resident in Denmark. I think 'No taxation without representation' should be an international rule!