Currently, Brits cannot vote in general and local elections in the UK if they have been living outside the country for more than 15 years, but now the British government looks set to keep its election promise, and those of several Tory governments, by allowing UK citizens to have indefinite voting rights in Britain.
This ends a 20-year battle by 100-year-old Harry Shindler, who challenged the current legal ruling in a High Court battle in 2016 and in the European Court of Justice in 2018.
Shindler said, “I’ve been campaigning for this for the last 18 years. And although it has to go back to the House of Commons, it’s now as good as a done deed. This is a historic moment and Britons all over the world will be celebrating.”
The election bill will now proceed to the report stage, where will be scrutinised for legal loopholes, before returning to the House of Commons for a final vote.
The new rules will affect the 3 million Britons estimated to be working or retired abroad.
As British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott put it last year, “In an increasingly connected world, most British citizens living in Spain retain deep ties to the UK. Many still have family there, worked there for many years, and some have even fought for our country.”
However, some peers have stated it would be unfair for some Britons who have lived abroad for many decades to be able to vote in British general elections while many foreign nationals living and paying tax in the UK could not.
Paul Scriven, a Liberal Democrat peer, said, “How would that be perceived as fair and a good platform for our electoral process? People who have not lived here for 50 years will have the right to vote and influence government policy, even though it does not directly affect them.”
The next UK General Election is in 2024
With this new law, all British citizens living overseas who were previously registered or resident in the UK will be able to vote in elections. According to Whitehall, these changes would come into effect in time for the next scheduled General Election in 2024.
In addition, the new rules will mean expats can stay on the UK Electoral Roll longer without having to renew their details – once every three years instead of every year. Electors will be able to reapply for a postal vote or refresh their proxy vote at the same time as renewing their voter registration. These changes will form part of the Elections Bill to be voted on by MPs in the UK parliament.
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