No Representation Without Taxation!
 

The UK election is coming up. I haven't lived there for over 4 years and I haven't contributed to the economy or culture in any way. I pay no UK tax and don't even fill out a UK tax return any more. But I can still vote. Should I - and people like me - still have an influence over the political outcome and, therefore, future of a country that we don't even live in and wouldn't have to suffer the consequences of whatever that election outcome might be?

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I believe that you can vote in your old constituency for up to 15 years after you left. I have timed out now. I still have interests in private and state pensions so, if I had felt so inclined, I could have justified to myself voting for those years.

Maybe I didn't think I should have inflicted my choice if I didn't have to live with the consequences, maybe I was lazy, or maybe the fact that my local MP was a Tory who was returned with a 20,000 majority during Labour's landslide of 1997 meant I didn't think there was much point.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I think it is 15 years. I still keep a reasonable knowledge of what's happening in UK politics and we are still on the electoral roll. I could vote UKIP and then just sit back and watch the circus! But I suppose the question is more a moral one - should I?

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

If you're interested enough to follow the political issues in Britain, then I think you should feel free to vote. With respect to personal impact, you can't be sure that you or members of your family will not end up in Britain at some future time. In addition, the country will have the benefit of your seasoned views, which in some ways will be more informed than some of the new voters that are now eligible. Aside from all this, it's going to be a cracking election!

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I've refused to vote in the UK since we left. I don't feel I should have any say in the matters when I don't have to live with the consequences. Personally I don't think people who leave the country should be allowed unless they are gone with work or on service.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Same here. I haven't voted since I left those fair (ish) shores.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

And maybe it would be justified, say, for voting for the party in favour of annually uprating retirement pension for those in Canada. :sneaky: :rofl:

Personally I'd rather not vote in the UK (I don't) even if I could for another 4 and a bit years, but instead have the right to vote in Canada as a PR (the P means Permanent after all) when married to a Canadian wife and having parental responsibilities for Canadian children.

I don't see that citizenship should be a 'must' to be able to do so.

There's so much corruption and cronyism in Canadian politics it's not worth getting worked up about. But out of principle I reckon I should be allowed to vote in Canada and not the UK.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I follow the politics in the USA, should I be allowed to vote there then? After all I can't guarantee that I won't end up living there at some point.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I agree 100% with the above. If I pay my taxes in Canada, why should I not have the right to have my say in how they are spent. I don't even get a chance to vote in the transit referendum. PR = 2nd class "citizen"

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

You'd fail the common sense test Zoe. ie you have some...

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I've often thought that you should have to pass a basic comprehension test before you are allowed to vote.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Wouldn't that type of test exclude a lot of the more vulnerable and historically disenfranchised socio-economic groups? That's exactly the sort of tact local electoral commissions used in the southern part of the U.S. to deny African Americans the vote.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Oh I know it wouldn't work in practice. just one of my many musings.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

That's the sort of thing you hear at middle class dinner parties as they're dipping bread into oil. ;)

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Dipping bread into oil,
how gauche...

one has staff to do that kind of thing for them, don't you know:p

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I don't think I should vote in Canada as I have no substantive connection to the place. (I did vote once, against Kyle Rae, but that was a gesture of personal dislike, not a political statement). I've timed out of voting in the UK and in any case, as long as Thatcher remains dead, I have no compulsion to vote there either. I can't say I mind if other people here want to make the effort to vote in the UK but I fear most would do so only to grab more pension money; it would be unfortunate to have domestic political priorities twisted to the needs of the deserters.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I don't know what the US allows, but my view holds, that if you're a citizen and permitted to vote, you should not feel any compunction not to. This is different from being in any way obliged to vote, of course.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Interesting discussion.

How is allowing expats to vote any different, in prinicpal, to expats using the NHS when they go back?

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

The people who care about the issue are making the argument that giving cost of living increases to British state pensioners in Canada (and elsewhere) will actually save the UK money. They say that pensioners become poorer over the years to the point where they can no longer live in Canada and are forced to return to the UK to die. The last years of life are the time of the greatest use of state resources. They project annual cost savings of over $1bn a year by 2024.

It is actually a decent argument. The trouble is that it will be hard to find a politician today who gives a flying one about 2024.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

It is if you think that the increased amount of pension paid due to indexing is life changing. I doubt that it is, someone unable to pay his or her medical bills in Canada is not likely to be suddenly able to do so in consequence of receiving an indexed pension.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

One is based upon citizenship and only the only costs to the UK taxpayer are those of administration; the other is based upon residency and has significant costs to the taxpayer :p

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Agreed, accept that one is able/entitled(?)/eligible to use the NHS, even if they dont live there. If I was there on holiday and got hit by a car, I'd receive free treatment, with no expectation of receiving a bill. Many on here would insist that I should try to pay for the costs, despite not being asked to.

The point I'm trying to make is that just because one is eligible to vote (or use the NHS), doesnt necessarily mean that they should.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I believe the NHS is now phasing out free treatment for non-residents (and that includes British citizens).

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Someone like me who contributes nothing to UK the "system" financially, could have the casting vote (theoretically) as to what sort of political system would run the UK for the next five years.

The power is in my hands to tilt the very fabric of British society; and I don't even live there.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

I think you'll find that's already the case. They might just be policing it harder now.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Yes, actually the policing of existing policies that is slowly being tightened.

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

That might very well be the case and with a British accent you would likely not arouse any suspicion of not being a resident.

However, while on holiday there, you are not entitled to free treatment and should ask for a hospital bill as soon as you are up and about again. ;)

Re: No Representation Without Taxation!
 

Not necessarily: Advice for overseas visitors - The NHS in England - NHS Choices

Some services or treatments carried out in an NHS hospital are exempt from charges, so that they are free to all overseas visitors.
UK hospitals will treat you for most infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) free of charge, to limit the spread of those diseases. Read the common health questions about infections.
If you are taken to A&E (accident and emergency department), a minor injuries unit or walk-in centre for emergency treatment then this is free of charge. However, if you are admitted to hospital for any other emergency treatment a charge may be incurred.