Voting rights in UK after 15 years
#16
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 3,143
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
I always thought it was wrong that when the UK stands for democracy and often enters into armed conflict to impose and support it - UK citizens were denied the right to vote many of whom have huge financial interests in the UK including owning property, pension funds and other investments etc.
And given we do not have voting rights in national elections in Spain we were essentially deprived of a vote anywhere - so much for democracy!
Anyway as has been stated if living here means you are no longer interested in voting in the UK you can easily opt out.
And given we do not have voting rights in national elections in Spain we were essentially deprived of a vote anywhere - so much for democracy!
Anyway as has been stated if living here means you are no longer interested in voting in the UK you can easily opt out.
#18
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
It wasn't, after all, within our own capabilities to legislate for it. I assume those who did might well have either seen the moral justifcation for this provision, or (more likely, given who's in power right now) seen it as a benefit to their political party and its electoral prospects (having previously done the necessary research, of course).
Either way, it seems a bit perverse to frown on those who might wish to exercise that right.
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2021
Location: Stony Plain, AB
Posts: 102
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
When the UK government finally does the moral thing and gives me an annual uprating to my currently frozen state pension then maybe I will not vote but until then I intend to do so. I paid more than 35 years worth of NI contributions for a full, uprated annually but according to them I live in the 'wrong' country even if it is in the Commonwealth.
#20
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Indeed - giving those with no real skin in the game the right to change for those who do.
#22
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,153
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Tories hire coordinator to get expat supporters to vote in general election
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
The Conservative party has hired an overseas voter registration coordinator to mobilise thousands of supporters who live abroad to vote in target seats the party needs to win at the next general election to stay in office.
The job description from party headquarters, seen by the Guardian but no longer online, said the role would focus on boosting the turnout of Tory expat voters in crucial electoral contests.
It suggests the operation would coordinate UK-based proxy voters to increase Tory support in the so-called 80:20 contests. These are 80 seats, including many of those in the red wall, that the party needs to retain and 20 it wants to win.
[...]
An extra 2.2 million overseas voters who have lived abroad for more than 15 years regained the right to vote in UK elections last Tuesday, after a statutory instrument that was approved by parliament in late December almost unnoticed came into force.
The expansion means they will be able to register in the constituency of the last address at which they were resident if they are able to provide relevant documentation, or failing that, through local records or on the word of an eligible British resident.
They will then be able to vote by proxy, with one proxy voter able to vote on behalf of as many as four overseas voters.
The job description from party headquarters, seen by the Guardian but no longer online, said the role would focus on boosting the turnout of Tory expat voters in crucial electoral contests.
It suggests the operation would coordinate UK-based proxy voters to increase Tory support in the so-called 80:20 contests. These are 80 seats, including many of those in the red wall, that the party needs to retain and 20 it wants to win.
[...]
An extra 2.2 million overseas voters who have lived abroad for more than 15 years regained the right to vote in UK elections last Tuesday, after a statutory instrument that was approved by parliament in late December almost unnoticed came into force.
The expansion means they will be able to register in the constituency of the last address at which they were resident if they are able to provide relevant documentation, or failing that, through local records or on the word of an eligible British resident.
They will then be able to vote by proxy, with one proxy voter able to vote on behalf of as many as four overseas voters.
#23
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Tories hire coordinator to get expat supporters to vote in general election
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
Rosemary
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,153
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
I guess I should have gone to the source this time instead of the press.
You have to be in the UK to vote in person though, you can't go to an embassy or consulate.
You have to be in the UK to vote in person though, you can't go to an embassy or consulate.
#25
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Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,920
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Tories hire coordinator to get expat supporters to vote in general election
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
Tories hire coordinator to get expat supporters to vote in general election | Conservatives | The Guardian
#26
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Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,128
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,625
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
Tories hire coordinator to get expat supporters to vote in general election
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
Obviously it was allowed now because the Tories think it will help them, but expats have to vote by proxy?! Why do something properly when you can do it half-cocked?
#28
#29
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,625
Re: Voting rights in UK after 15 years
I too have always received the voting papers in time to submit them. I have also always received an email and letter reminding me when I need to renew my application to vote around 3 months before registration runs out. It may well depend on region one is registered I'm registered with Northumberland and never had any issues.