UK backs bill to give votes for life

As Connexion went to press, the UK government was officially due to take the opportunity of MP Glyn Davies’ bill having its second House of Commons reading on February 23 to fulfil its promise to end the ‘15-year rule’.

The bill aims to give votes to all Britons who have been registered voters in the UK in the past, or just lived in the country. The draft says it will take effect on a date to be set later by ministers.

The move is seen as good news for Britons abroad, especially those who have already lost their votes and were therefore prevented from voting in the EU referendum or recent general elections. It comes after campaigners from the Ecreu group for Britons in the EU urged people to write to their MPs asking them to back the bill.

Ending the rule was a Conservative policy at the last two general elections. The current government previously said they would act on it before the next elections, expected to be in 2022.

Conservative MP for North Thanet Sir Roger Gale, who has long supported votes for life told Connexion he is “hoping very much” the bill is passed, but added the caveat that as a private member’s bill it is more “fragile” than an official government bill. For example debate time is limited and it could even fail to be discussed if the previous (first) item on the agenda takes too long.

However he said it is possible that in that case the government will “pick it up and run with it”.

Asked why the government is backing it now he said it has always been its policy but the main perceived difficulty has been that there may be attempts (probably in the Lords) to tack on amendments, such as votes for 16-year-olds, which the government does not support. “It would be nice to see it happen and for [expat campaigner] Harry Shindler to get his vote - he’s 96 now.”