Do not miss your referendum vote

AS CHANCES grow of a British referendum on EU membership as soon as June 23, it is vital that everyone with the right to vote makes sure they are registered.

All Britons who have been out of the country for less than 15 years have the right to take part in the referendum as long as they were registered voters in the UK before leaving. People who were too young to vote when they left with their parents may also register to take part if they left the UK less than 15 years ago.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron is now reported to be hopeful of securing a deal on EU reforms at a meeting with EU partners on February 18-19, with a preference then for a referendum in June after a four-month campaign – 18 months before the deadline for holding it, which is the end of next year.

This early timetable makes registering to vote more urgent than ever. However, it is also likely to put a damper on any remaining hopes that the government might still give long-term expats a chance to vote by abolishing the 15-year rule.

After a bid to amend the Referendum Bill to include the long-term expats failed last year, voting rights for the referendum remain essentially those for a General Election vote – which will not change until the government eventually introduces a promised ‘Votes for Life’ bill.

If you were on the voting register for the General Election last year you may still be registered – but you should double check, as you will drop off if you are not sent an annual form by your electoral registration office in the UK, or if one is sent and you do not complete it and send it back.

It is possible to register in a few minutes with details such as National Insurance number and your passport, at Register to vote.

Once registered you must also complete a form to request a postal or proxy vote, unless you plan to be in the UK on the polling day.

Considering difficulties with the postal voting system in recent elections, a proxy vote may be the most reliable method. Proxies do not have to be close family members or friends but must be registered UK voters.

In view of the urgent need to register, the British Embassy will be promoting an ‘Overseas Voter Registration Day’ on Thursday this week (February 4), saying that with some half a million Britons in France, it is important that their voices are heard. It is estimated that worldwide so far only about 5% of eligible overseas voters are registered.

Christopher Chantrey, chairman of the British Community Committee of France, said: "It is very important that Connexion readers, and indeed all Britons living in France, pass on this message to all their British friends and colleagues here, so that as many as possible can register.

“Those who are prevented from voting by the 15-year rule will be relying on those who are not prevented registering en masse."