British Expat Voters

[redman41]

Is it right that British Citizens who have now permanently resided abroad should still be allowed to vote in tomorrows Election ? Personally, I don't think they should as they should now vote in the Elections of the Country they now reside in !

Below is a quote from the Electoral Commission :-
Research suggests that there may be as many as 5.5 million British citizens living abroad for a year or more. British citizens who have been resident in the UK and registered to vote within the last 15 years are eligible to register to vote as overseas voters in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections in the UK. However, only a fraction of those eligible are registered to vote. Overseas voters can apply to vote by post or by proxy if they will be outside the UK on polling day

What is everyones opinion on this ?

[jake-the-peg]

I see your point, however if this is the case they should have a vote where they now reside.

Perhaps we need an EU wide agreement so you can choose which country's elections you vote in.

In France they are bringing in specific deputies for ex-pats although due to the limited spread, the deputy for Western Europe is effectively the deputy for South Kensington!

[redman41]

I take your point jake-the-peg. I am aiming the question at those who have supposedly severed all ties with the UK but are still allowed to vote tomorrow.
Could their vote decide who takes over at No10 I wonder.

[Mr Veritas]

I completely agree with you redman.
Once they have lived outside the UK for 5 years(consistently) they should loose the right to vote in the UK elections.
They should have to live here again for 5 years before they can re~register to vote.
We have a good Polish friend who has lived here for 10 years(and worked,and paid tax) all that time.
She can vote in the EU(UK) elections,Council Elections & Unitary Authority Elections,but NOT A General Election(but an ex pat no matter how long they have been out of the country can) how crazy is that?

[sandyRoe]

I believe there are areas of Spain where ex-pats have some political clout. How would one say 'Mail reader' in Spanish?