Lib Dems urge expats to vote

THE CONTINENTAL branch of the UK’s Liberal Democrats has launched a campaign urging expat voters across the EU to register to take part in the EU referendum, and to vote to remain in the union.

The party, which along with Labour officially backs staying in the EU, was also the only one to have supported amending the EU Referendum Bill to allow long-term expats to take part.

Brussels and Europe Liberal Democrats chairman George Cunningham said: "Liberal Democrats fought hard to try to give all British expats in the EU the right to vote in the referendum, but the government refused to go along with that.

"The next battle is to ensure that those who are eligible register in time and don't let their right to vote slip through their fingers.

"British expats will lose out heavily if we leave the EU. But with the current polls neck and neck, every vote from British expats in Europe will count.”

Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder said the party aims to make a “passionate” case as to why Britain would be better off staying in the EU.

She said: "One of the biggest benefits of EU membership is the opportunity to live, work and retire across the continent.

"We must secure this right for our children and grandchildren as well as the estimated 2 million British citizens currently living around Europe."

At the general election last year more than 100,000 expats registered to vote, which was triple the usual amount, however some 2 million expats are thought to live in the EU alone, many of whom are aged over 18 and have been abroad less than 15 years, which is necessary in order to take part.

To be eligible you also have to have been a registered voter in the UK before leaving, though people who were too young to vote when they left may also take part if their parents or guardians were registered.

Even if you registered last year for the election, you should make sure you are still registered. If you do not receive (or do not complete and return) an annual confirmation form that should be sent from electoral registration offices then you may come off it.

You can apply to register here: Register to vote.

The Lib Dems have a campaign page at BritsAbroadYestoEurope and more information is here: Lib Dems launch campaign.

The bid to change the referendum bill has now failed as it received royal assent on December 17, with no change. The only way in which long-term expats could now take part in the referendum would be if the government introduced as a priority a promised bill on ‘Votes for Life’, however there is no indication that this will be done in time.

• Put ‘referendum’ in the search box on this website for our reports on the bid to have the referendum bill amended in October and November last year