dougal03

Of course you can change your mind,look how we get different results often from one election to another.And when you disenfranchise thousands of your Nationals from voting as was done for the referendum,that should be called"British style democracy"

scrubbedexpat142

But that was before Scotland had a major change of status (vis a Vis) Europe following the "other" referendum nearly 2 years later.I think a substantial change in Ts & C's warrants a rethink!

Fredbargate

These so called nationals disenfranchised themselves by their own actions

I also pay tax in the UK where I have no vote due to my own actions

Live with it or go back, your choice

DLC

If we reduce citizenship to something meaningless and purely transactional where any expression of that citizenship like rights to voting and representation depends on where you are normally resident and pay taxes, way not just give citizenship to everyone who becomes resident in the UK and take it off everyone who goes abroad to live?

(I hope Priti Patel isn't reading.)

Citizenship is obviously more than that, and the argument that if you left then you can't have any say is usually used by those still there who don't like to hear what is being said.

bobd22

The point is we have the right of voting for 15 years which we knew when we moved out of the uk. The post is about increasing it to life long right to vote. Your opinion is that shouldn't be allowed, fine that's your opinion but others are entitled to hold a different opinion. Not a case of live with it or go back?

dougal03

There wasn´t a 15 year limit for right to vote when we emigrated.In fact I used a proxy vote & was always in touch with that person .And Fred,sometimes people return to UK ,as I did,because of personal circumstances that made it the only choice.

bobd22

The history of rights to vote for those living overseas has changed a few times. It went from not being allowed a vote to being allowed for 5 years this then was increased to 20 years and then was reduced to 15 years. David Cameron proposed changing it to lifelong right to vote in 2015. One thing one must remember though is you do have to have been registered to vote in the UK. When you register as overseas voter you must inform them of where you were last registered.
​​​​​

Fredbargate

Then at that point your right to vote should and I believe is reinstated

Red Eric

If the franchise were to be extended for life to UK nationals resident outside the UK, would you put yourself on the register, Fred?

dougal03

To reply to Fred,yes I now have my voting paper to be used this thursday.However I was not allowed to vote in the Brexit referendum which for all of us had a greater impact on our lives than people in the UK.Being back,I can see that even more clearly than I did whilst in Spain.A lot of talk about"taking back control"etc but no actual shift in day to day lifestyle apart from the number of advertisements for staff.Today I saw a billboard at the side of a retail park advertising vacancies for nurses & care home staff,another for tradesmen.The EU citizens in UK for a while have been concerned about their status after Brexit Many have returned to THEIR home countries. .My own granddaughter is Spanish & works for a Govn.dept on the south coast.I am concerned for her future & would have liked to have had a chance to register my opposition on exit from the EU.On one of my original residencia documents from many years ago, I think it said that I had the full protection of the EU.I don´t think that will be on the new TIE.

Fredbargate

No

I chose to leave, my choice. Voting should be limited to those who reside in a country not to aunts, uncles, mothers and fathers etc. who have left.
My family who I left behind have that right.
Some want their cake and eat it

I have been in London for the past three months and no one has mentioned brexit in either a positive or negative way.

However the effects of covid are very evident.

Red Eric

It's a cake the Conservative Party seems very keen to bake, though. I'd say this one really is going to be oven-ready very shortly. Plus it was in their manifesto - I know you're quite keen sometimes on what political parties say in their manifestos, aren't you?

One can only assume that they see some political advantage, having done some research and found that the majority of those who live overseas and would be inclined to vote would be dyed-in-the-wool Tories and they could do with their support.

DLC

After Brexit and pensions uplift nonsense? Do they have Stockholm Syndrome or something?

Red Eric

I'm sure there are plenty of UK expats - including some living in EU countries - who are absolutely delighted with Brexit. No shortage of evidence of that on here.

dougal03

Perhaps a number of those posting in agreement of the 15 year limit,are holiday owners?