UK Votes for Life - this time?
May 27th 2021, 10:28 am
#1
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Posts: 3,143
UK Votes for Life - this time?
Latest Press Release from British Embassy Madrid - Votes for life’ for British citizens living in Spain
● British citizens who have moved abroad will be given ‘votes for life’ as the UK Government scraps the arbitrary 15-year limit on the voting rights
● New measures announced today will also make it easier for overseas electors to remain registered to vote for longer.
● Together, these changes will empower more British citizens living overseas to participate in the UK’s democracy.
New measures announced in the Queen’s Speech will make it easier for British citizens who have moved abroad to participate in British democracy.
Decisions made in the UK Parliament on foreign policy, defence, immigration, pensions and trade deals affect British citizens who live overseas. It is therefore right that they have a say in UK Parliamentary General Elections.
Today the Government is setting out further detail on plans to scrap the arbitrary rule that prevents British citizens from voting in General Elections if they have lived abroad for more than 15 years.
The changes, which will form part of the Elections Bill, will also include measures to enable overseas electors to stay registered to vote for longer, with an absent voting arrangement in place.
HMA Hugh Elliott, said:
“In an increasingly connected world, most British citizens living in Spain retain deep ties to the United Kingdom. Many still have family there, worked there for many years, and some have even fought for our country.
“They deserve to have their voices heard in Parliament, no matter where they live, and I am delighted that UK Nationals living in Spain will now be able to participate in our democracy.”
The proposals fulfill a manifesto commitment to deliver ‘votes for life’, extending the voting franchise for UK Parliamentary General Elections to all British citizens living overseas who have been previously registered or previously resident in the UK. These changes will come into effect in time for the next scheduled General Election in 2024.
In addition, new rules will mean overseas electors can stay registered for longer, including with an absent voting arrangement in place, requiring them to renew their registration details once every three years, rather than annually.
Electors will be able to reapply for a postal vote or refresh their proxy vote at the same time as renewing their voter registration, streamlining the process and helping to ensure overseas electors have appropriate voting arrangements in place ahead of an election.
The Government's wider Elections Bill will also: improve access to voting for electors with disabilities; prevent foreign interference by hostile actors; tackle electoral fraud by post, proxy, in polling stations or through intimidation and undue influence; and increase transparency and accountability within our elections. Further announcements will be made on its measures ahead of the Bill’s introduction.
UK Nationals living in Spain can also vote in local municipal elections in Spain once they have been resident here for more than three years. For further information visit gov.uk/livinginspain.
ENDS
● British citizens who have moved abroad will be given ‘votes for life’ as the UK Government scraps the arbitrary 15-year limit on the voting rights
● New measures announced today will also make it easier for overseas electors to remain registered to vote for longer.
● Together, these changes will empower more British citizens living overseas to participate in the UK’s democracy.
New measures announced in the Queen’s Speech will make it easier for British citizens who have moved abroad to participate in British democracy.
Decisions made in the UK Parliament on foreign policy, defence, immigration, pensions and trade deals affect British citizens who live overseas. It is therefore right that they have a say in UK Parliamentary General Elections.
Today the Government is setting out further detail on plans to scrap the arbitrary rule that prevents British citizens from voting in General Elections if they have lived abroad for more than 15 years.
The changes, which will form part of the Elections Bill, will also include measures to enable overseas electors to stay registered to vote for longer, with an absent voting arrangement in place.
HMA Hugh Elliott, said:
“In an increasingly connected world, most British citizens living in Spain retain deep ties to the United Kingdom. Many still have family there, worked there for many years, and some have even fought for our country.
“They deserve to have their voices heard in Parliament, no matter where they live, and I am delighted that UK Nationals living in Spain will now be able to participate in our democracy.”
The proposals fulfill a manifesto commitment to deliver ‘votes for life’, extending the voting franchise for UK Parliamentary General Elections to all British citizens living overseas who have been previously registered or previously resident in the UK. These changes will come into effect in time for the next scheduled General Election in 2024.
In addition, new rules will mean overseas electors can stay registered for longer, including with an absent voting arrangement in place, requiring them to renew their registration details once every three years, rather than annually.
Electors will be able to reapply for a postal vote or refresh their proxy vote at the same time as renewing their voter registration, streamlining the process and helping to ensure overseas electors have appropriate voting arrangements in place ahead of an election.
The Government's wider Elections Bill will also: improve access to voting for electors with disabilities; prevent foreign interference by hostile actors; tackle electoral fraud by post, proxy, in polling stations or through intimidation and undue influence; and increase transparency and accountability within our elections. Further announcements will be made on its measures ahead of the Bill’s introduction.
UK Nationals living in Spain can also vote in local municipal elections in Spain once they have been resident here for more than three years. For further information visit gov.uk/livinginspain.
ENDS
May 27th 2021, 4:55 pm
#2
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 878
Re: UK Votes for Life - this time?
Bit too late for those of us denied a vote in the crucial Brexit referendum.
