But why? The cut-off was already very generous at 15 years. How can you live outside of a country for that long and still want to have your views represented?
I met an American who was a young enough man absolute latest early 30s, he served in the forces and never went back. Every time he could he’d vote. He’d go into the embassy or whatever. He was sitting in my country talking about foreigners in his.
Because this war veteran who didn’t know what on earth he was fighting for (apparently to bring votes to Europe?) shamed the government into reversing the decision.
The change follows a long campaign by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler, who left the UK to live in Italy around 40 years ago.
Speaking to the BBC in 2011, he said: “There was a war to bring the vote to the people of Europe. We won the war, but some of the people who took part in the war, me included, are not allowed to vote themselves.”
In 2021, he welcomed the news that the government was changing the rules calling it an “important day for freedom”.
I agree 15 years is more than plenty and I suspect the reason is purely down to how this will benefit the current party in power. It’s also cynically timed close enough to the election that reversing it would seem petty.
The cynic in me wonders if this is just another desperate attempt by the Tories to grab some previously unattainable votes.
If you’ve been outside the country longer your likely older. If you’ve been outside the country longer…and are older, you’ve probably got a few quid. If you’re older and you’ve got a few quid you likely vote Blue…
I mean, it’s not gonna matter right, but still. Cynical.
And you won’t have been there for the nosedive that has been the last 13 years.
That said, Labour plans to enfranchise settled EU nationals, which will probably tip the balance in the opposite direction.For what it’s worth, I fall into this group and I’m really glad the Tories were the ones to give me the vote back, because I fully intend to use it against them and hopefully do my part to bury them, hopefully forever.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Around two million more British citizens living overseas will be able to register for a vote in general elections following a rule change.
The change follows a long campaign by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler, who left the UK to live in Italy around 40 years ago.
Jane Golding, co-chair of the campaign group British in Europe, said: 'Voting is a basic citizenship right regardless of where someone lives.
Prior to 2015, the number of overseas voters never rose above 35,000; however levels were boosted following a registration campaign leading up to the 2015 general election and increased interest ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum.
At the last general election in 2019, more than 200,000 people were registered as overseas voters out of an estimated 1.2m who were eligible at the time.
During debate of the Election Act in Parliament in 2022, Labour objected to the change, with shadow minister Alex Norris arguing that “wealthy donors who have not lived in the UK for decades will find it easier to contribute”.
The original article contains 398 words, the summary contains 172 words. Saved 57%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
