Letter: UK election rule changes did not affect my ability to vote from France

To the Editor, 

It was interesting to see fellow Britons having difficulty using their vote now they are registered. I only wish I had had this problem. 

Having duly filled in the online form submitting it to the last place I was registered to vote, I was quickly contacted by my local council.

It was, it appeared, necessary to prove I had lived there – a utility bill, council tax bill etc would suffice.

I quickly wrote back and informed them that given I had left over 20 years ago and had lived in several countries I no longer had such documents!

Read more: UK election: Low take-up by overseas British voters with new rights

Attestation

She wrote back attaching an attestation form that someone (not family/spouse) could fill in and attest I lived in the house I claimed. 

Again given the length of time and the fact I lived there under a year, I was unable to ask someone to do this.

I then went on 192.com and, using their paid-for service, was able to access the electoral roll and clearly saw myself registered at the time stated. 

I wrote back with the details, pointing out that the company obtains its records from local authorities, and asked if they could not look up the same details. 

I heard nothing back and the deadline for the General Election passed. I gave up.

I wonder if other readers have had the same problem?

Chris Lang, by email