Abolishing the rule that prevents Britons who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from voting would send a strong signal to expats that Britain is enormously grateful that they are the unofficial ambassadors, trade envoys and representatives for their country around the world. That was the message from Conservative Party Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, as he introduced a Bill in Parliament to do away with the 15 year rule before the 2015 election.
In his speech Mr Clifton-Brown pointed-out that the UK has some of the strictest limits on overseas voting in the world with only Ireland, Greece and Malta being harsher. Countries such as the US, France and Italy have no restrictions.
Mr Clifton-Brown urged the 3.5 million eligible British expat voters to register to vote. In 2010 only around 1% of expats registered to vote in the General Election. Since then the Electoral Commission has introduced online registration. Voters can now register and request a postal vote in around 4 minutes by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The Government has also extended the period for returning postal votes from 17 to 25 working days, making it easier for voters to ensure that their vote reaches the ballot box on time.
The MP urged British expats to vote. “It is absolutely right that citizens living abroad should be able to participate in our democratic process” he said. “After all, more often than not, they are the people who have worked hard through their working lives and contributed to the system through taxes and national insurance, and they usually keep their UK bank accounts. They should therefore have the right to maintain a say in how that money is spent. Indeed, decisions of the UK Government continue to have effects on overseas citizens once they have left our shores”.
Earlier attempts by Mr Clifton-Brown and Lord Lexden to do away with the 15 year rule during the passage of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 were thwarted when Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs and peers voted against their amendments.
The Bill stands little chance of becoming law unless it was adopted by the government, but since the Conservatives are in coalition with the Liberal Democrats this is unlikely to happen.
However, the Conservative Party has since pledged to abolish the 15 year rule if they form the next government.
Mr Clifton-Brown was supported by expat votes campaigner, Harry Schindler. The 93 year old war veteran, who fought in Italy, where he now lives, flew to London to attend the debate. Mr Schindler said “for us, it’s manna from heaven to have someone in the Commons to speak on our behalf”.
The debate was the second time in a week that the plight of British expat voters was raised in parliament. Conservative peer, lord Norton, initiated a debate in the Lords last week. See full story on in Conservative Abroad news.
You can read Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's speech below.