New pro-Europe party wants better rights for Britons abroad

A new political party set up this year by Gina Miller, the British businesswoman and campaigner best known for court cases challenging aspects of the Brexit process, is calling for better rights for Britons overseas.

True & Fair, which now has an overseas branch headed by former chairman of Lib Dems in France Paul Fisher, is calling for a clear timetable for the re-establishment of voting rights for Britons overseas and says they should have a “minister and support network”.

They must not be treated as second-class citizens, it says.

Ms Miller said despite an act of parliament abolishing the 15-year limit on overseas voting, secondary legislation to allow people to re-register has not been tabled yet and millions of people could be disenfranchised if an election was to be held earlier than expected.

She also wants a 'Minister for British Abroad', to represent some six million UK citizens and passport holders overseas.

Such a post would help keep up pressure on the government to focus on its citizens' abroad, the party states.

France has a minister as well as MPs and senators and a representative assembly for its citizens abroad.

Stated policies of True & Fair Abroad, the overseas branch, include developing communities of citizen volunteers attached to consulates to act as 'cultural and trade ambassadors' on behalf of the British abroad, as well as creating a new Citizen's Assembly representing overseas voters to the British parliament.

The branch is also calling on the UK to have a "grown-up conversation with the EU about a closer, mutually-beneficial relationship".

Article edited September 22 to include more information about the new overseas branch

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