The Elections Bill has just received Royal Assent and so it has become the Elections Act 2022. Among other things it removes the 15-year rule for overseas voters, so we should soon all be able to register to vote in UK national elections. It has been a very long haul, but now we have got there! https://www.conservativesabroad.org/news/votes-life-receives-royal-assent?dm_i=65YV,INY3,N5K6X,2A4NY,1 ..read more

“New measures announced in the Queen’s Speech will make it easier for British citizens who have moved abroad to participate in our democracy.” “Decisions made in the UK Parliament on foreign policy, defence, immigration, pensions and trade deals affect British citizens who live overseas. It is therefore right that they have a say in UK Parliamentary General Elections.” “Today the Government is setting out further detail on plans to scrap the arbitrary rule that prevents British citizens from voting in General Elections if they have lived abroad for more than 15 years.” https://www.gov.uk/gove ..read more

“It’s a big hill to climb” says Paul Fisher, Chairman of Lib Dems in France but let’s “go for gold” https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Britons-in-France-should-merit-dedicated-MPs-says-Paul-Fisher-Chairman-of-Lib-Dems-in-France?utm_source=Master+List&utm_campaign=a38c839d9c-NewsletterOct72020_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9b5fbe85b4-a38c839d9c-3582 ..read more

“Britons who have lived abroad for more than 15 years lose the right to vote in UK elections. This would have changed had a Private Member’s Bill with government support passed last month – but a Conservative MP talked it out. Susan Collard (University of Sussex) says the incident reveals the shortcomings of parliamentary democracy.” Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, “talked out” the Overseas Electors Bill 2017-2019, at the second reading in parliament on the 22nd March, 2019 ..read more