Will long-term expats have a vote?

The UK has not ruled out long-term expats
taking part – but their ability to do so is likely
to depend on how quickly a promised ‘Votes
for Life Bill’ abolishing the 15-year limit on
voting in general elections is passed.
The Referendum Bill, currently going
through parliament, says voting will be open
to people who can usually vote in parliamentary
elections.
Ending the 15-year rule was a Conservative
mani festo pledge and a bill on it is expected
in ‘this session’ of parliament ie by May
next year. This was confirmed in a House
of Commons debate on amendments to the
Referendum Bill last month.
During discussion on amending the
Referendum Bill to include expats who had
left the country more than 15-years ago, Conservative
MP John Penrose said this would
not be necessary as the government “will be
introducing our own bill on votes for life,
which will apply to all franchises.”
The amendment, proposed by Labour MP,
Mike Gapes was not put to a vote, so was
shelved, however a spokesman for the House
of Commons said it is possible a similar one
might be introduced when the bill goes to the
House of Lords.
Sir Roger Gale, a long-time supporter of
votes for all expats, said he and fellow Conservative
MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who
attempted to have the 15-year rule removed
with a dedicated bill earlier this year, are pressing
for the change to be introduced as soon as
possible. “There is no reason why, if the implementation
date is swift, it should not be active
in time to permit voting in the referendum.”
“The Leader of the House has told me
personally that he hopes that the extension of
the franchise from 15 years to perpetuity for
expats will go through the house this session.
If that is so and if there is a referendum in
2017 then expat UK citizens should be able
to vote. It is not certain but we live in hope.”
The chairman of the British Community
Committee of France, Christopher Chantrey,
said: “I don’t think there’s a problem of
intention, more of parliamentary timing.
“One of our big problems is that we are not
high up on the priority list for London.
“I hope that will change in the future when
we have votes for life and perhaps someone
[ie. a dedicated MP or MPs] looking into interests
of Britons abroad as other countries
have for their own expats.”
He added: “We are writing to the Prime
Minister and the Minister for Constitutional
Affairs to draw their attention to how
illogical it would be not to schedule the
legislation early enough to enable Britons
living in other EU states to vote.
“They must be able to vote as it affects
their lives and livelihoods so directly. It’s
only fair the manifesto commitment to
votes for life is brought before parliament
early enough.”
Connexion suggests British readers write
to MPs for their last UK constituency raising
the same point. Contact details can be found
at: www.theyworkforyou.com