AS Members of Parliament in the UK vote to hold a General Election on June 8, many British citizens in France look set to lose out on their own chance to vote.
British voters who have been in France for more than 15 years will not be able to head to the ballot box, despite the Conservative party promising to introduce rules covering a ‘vote for life’.
Last year a document was published by the government explaining how it intended to scrap the 15 year rule, but it has not moved forward since then and there is little chance of legislation being introduced in time for the June election.
It means that many British people will have now missed out on the 2015 election, the 2016 referendum vote and this year’s snap election, all of which have had a a real influence on the day-to-day lives of those living outside the UK in Europe.
Those British people who are eligible to vote in this election can either register, or check they are properly registered, via the official gov.uk website.
Comments
4 responses to “The 15 year rule to frustrate, once again, many British voters in France”
Am hopping mad! GRRRR
20 years in France and already not being able to vote in BREXIT was scandalous!!!
Oh how happy we are that you are not able to vote. Voting in UK matters is for those who live their daily life in the UK.
Stay in France for 20 years, then I say, vote in France. France, obviously means far to you than the UK.
Please, do not get ‘hopping mad’ just enjoy the country of your choice.
William Beck
If you have chosen to live your life in another country, you cannot expect to have a say in the country you decided to leave behind. That say is for the people who live their life in that country you said farewell to. It is for those who keep the local economy going by using the local greengrocer, butchers, supermarket, drink in the local coffee shops, eat in the local restaurants, keep the libraries open and buses and trains running. Those who are aware of local and national issues on these economies. You have chosen to keep the economy going in your new country of residence. You will have a say there. It would be totally unjust for those who have enjoyed a new life in the sun with benefits not available to those who have stayed and contributed, to have a say which could overturn the way of life of those who actually have to live their daily life here.
One thing to remember for many British pensioners in France, is that those with a public sector pension are taxed at source in the UK, but still after 15 years they have no vote.