‘Long term ex-pats will have their right to vote in British and European elections restored. However, they will be unable to vote in the European referendum if they have lived abroad for more than 15 years’.The Votes for Life Bill, announced after the Queens speech, will stop the 15 year rule that sees ex-pats lose their votes in UK and European parliamentary elections once they have been out of the country for that long. However, Downing Street said it will remain in place for the referendum on Europe, due by the end of 2017 at the latest. A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that the 15 year rule will remain in place for the referendum even if the Votes for Life Bill is passed before then. It said the Votes for Life Bill will ‘make it easier for overseas electors to cast their votes in time to be counted’ and also ‘encourage larger numbers of British citizens living abroad to register to vote in UK elections. Perhaps this is an issue which could affect all British ex-pats, and members should be encouraged to contact their local MP’s in the UK to urge them to change the ruling in time for the referendum’ as the one million ex-pats unable to vote at the time could affect its outcome.
