Looks like voting on membership (or otherwise) of the EU will be only open to those who have left the UK for 15 years or less - despite what was promised last year by the tories.

Looks like they are beginning to worry about what the result might be, and are trying to put thumbs on scales.

EU referendum voting rights will not be extended to all UK citizens living abroad | Politics | The Guardian

Neither will EU immigrants be allowed to vote.

shouldn't the entire EU population vote on this?

Why should the rest of the EU have a say in what decision the UK makes, they don't give UK citizens a say in their decisions.

It is in line with the rules on voting in a general election. Also, why should people have a say at all on the country they have chosen to leave.

I guess some would argue they still have a vested interest but I agree with you.

Well, there is an argument that if you have citizenship of the country, you have a possibility of returning etc. and a valid interest in its shape and future. Useless/corrupt governments may come and go, but significant changes to the makeup of the country (such as need a referendum) are long lasting enough that you should be able to have a say (eg its more valid to have a say on those matters, than on which bunch of liars gets in for the next 5 years).

Yep, agree too. As an escapee, I not only think I shouldn't have the right to vote on this, I also have bigger fish to fry, like watching the first series of Blacklist in 2 days.

Why? Only Scots living in Scotland were allowed to vote whether to have independence last year.

Yes, I suspect Scotland would have been long gone had the rest of the country had anything to say in it.


S

I don't want the UK to leave the EU but I fail to see why I should have a vote regardless of whether I decide to go back to the UK to live in the future. And I don't really see why people anywhere else in the EU should have a vote either.

I think that Brits living in the EU should have a vote though - They are the people that will be mostly affected. It is their British citizenship that gives them the right to live there - If this right is in any way in jeopardy, then they should have a vote in it. They certainly have standing in the matter IMHO.

I'm keen for the UK to remain as well - My plans for retirement in France are currently in jeopardy!


S

Maybe they should do it the same way the Irish did the Gay Marriage vote at the weekend. If UK citizens get back to the country to vote, they can.

I think the entire UK should have been given the vote.

As I said before, that wold have seen the end of the union...


S