Should expats have the right to vote?

What about the reverse, though? What about all the EU citizens who have lived here for over ten years, but did not have the right to vote?
Because of Brexit, they may even have their right to vote in local elections taken away from them, even though they pay income tax and council tax.

GJ I know a few people who rent - if retired they are mainly ex military but I also know a few younger people this applies to - mortgages here can be hard for young people as the way they calculate your income here is basically that they will give a loan based on half your actual income! I discovered this recently from a young couple we know (30 ish). Some used almost all of their money to buy their dream house instead of buying a house they could really afford and of course those who had houses needing renovation discovered the renovations cost far more than was anticipated.

Jen let's hope that those making a Brexit deal will think of the people who are living in an EU country not their own - everyone will face problems. Not quite so severe for those who are working and paying NI etc into the systems - far more complicated for retired people.

I think they should have got to vote in the referendum as the outcome is obviously going to affect them re their pensions and healthcare. Lots of expats have moved to warmer climes for health reasons. We were hoping to do the same as I have health problems that are made better by the warmer weather, but we cannot afford to move from Scotland to the south of England for better weather. My husbands RAF pension will always be taxed in the UK regardless of where we live, not sure about state pensions as we are not old enough for that yet! I would not want to vote on the general or by elections as that would not really affect me if I left the country. The other thing to think of is, how would our country cope if there was an influx of old age expats moving back because European countries decided if Britain does not want their people, why should they keep Britains OAP's. That would be a real squeeze on the country as most of our immigrants are of working age, paying taxes in Britain and not needing the NHS as much as the older generation might.

I thought quite hard about whether to vote in the recent referendum. Eventually, I decided that as I shall not return to the UK and absentdaughter and her family don't live in the UK, I wouldn't. However, I do pay income tax and VAT in the UK and depend on the UK for my income – which, thanks to unstable exchange rates, will be rather less in the foreseeable future.

I know an ex pat who has an interest and voted because although she is unlikely to return to UK permanently it is always possible that an offspring who is entitled to a British passport might one day wish to live or work in the UK.

In the Scottish referendum non-Scots living in Scotland could vote (which I think was correct) but not Scots living in other parts of the UK. All those affected should have been enfranchised in any future referendum

We voted as we have all our family back in Wales and we feel that this decision will effect their lives for years to come. Once we sell here we will also be returning to Wales, our stay in Cyprus was due to health reasons but we have never stopped thinking of UK as home and that is where we will return to.

Better come back while they will still let you in, Pippa!
Before article 50 is presented, if it ever is.

Has anyone considered dual nationality? It can be achieved by residency but probably requires fluency in the language etc pretty much as it does here in the uk

We have dual nationality - my Swiss-British and DH British-Swiss- he however had to give up his South AFrican one.

We will probably go for French nationality, when I can face getting all the paperwork sorted. I have been told that having served as an elected member of the council will be very helpful. No language requirement over 65 though we both speak French pretty fluently anyway. There is a mountain of paperwork, a fee and an interview with the gendarmes, then it takes about two years.
Our son will take Spanish nationality, but Spain does not allow dual nationality so he will give up his British nationality.

Ha ha, an interview with the gendarmes! You should have no trouble Mamie, they're the most corrupt of the lot.

Got a young British French who lives in France with her 2 young daughters, just tragically widowed. She is so disgusted at the Brexit that she intends to take French nationality with the kids as soon as she can. However I do wonder- wouldn't be ironical if the UK does not invoke article 50- but Marine Lepen wins the next elections and takes FRance out of EU ??????

Denmark has only just agreed to allow dual nationality, last September, I think.
If you are British, you have to have lived in Denmark for nine years, but with three maximum off if you have lived with a Danish national for three of those years.

No. They have chosen to leave this country so should not be able to vote about what happens here. Some friends in France are now terrified they may have to return for good and not just frequently to see family as they do now.

Germany does not allow dual nationality, expect for other EU countries and Switzerland. They are however considering allow UK nationals to keep their British nationality and the GErman one, if the UK pulls out of EU.

So what about the other way round, trendygran?
Those from other EU countries who have chosen to live here; should they be allowed to vote, or should they be completely disenfranchised?

"wouldn't be ironical if the UK does not invoke article 50- but Marine Lepen wins the next elections and takes FRance out of EU ??????"

I had exactly the same thoughts, granjura. Each country is a law unto themselves and does what suits them.

The S.O. just spoke to some Belgian people who said they would like to leave the EU because of so much beaurocracy but then said they wanted to come and live here which they probably wouldn't be able to do post brexit.

Durhamjen do other nationalities other than EU members vote when they are granted residency?

Switzerland is a Federation of States (K/Cantons) and some parts allow foreign resident the vote at local level, others don't. My area has allowed resident foreigners to vote locally since the mid 19C.

Not the point, joelsnan.
If you say that expats shouldn't have the right to vote because they no longer have any reason to vote here, then you should also say that anyone who lives here has the right to vote because they take part in everyday living here.

One of the concessions that Cameron brought back from the EU, which has been rescinded now, was that any EU migrant would not be able to claim benefits for four years after moving here. If four years is seen as a reasonable time for that, surely any migrant who has lived here for four years has shown that they want to be part of the community and should get a vote. Anyone who has a right to remain should have the same rights as any other citizen. Otherwise the pool of voters will always reduce as the pool of migrants gets larger.

Trendygran people who are British but live in the EU are likely to be more affected than you by this referendum result. You may need to pay more taxes or tighten your belt if prices rise but you will still be living in your home. Not only may they need to return to UK but in the process lose a lot of money which would render them unable to house or keep themselves. This would in turn impact on UK tax payers.
This question is far more complex than just that they have moved away. They did that because it was allowed while we were full members of the EU. This referendum will do damage to many families if they are forced to return. Many have children part way through their education and in another system.
The fall in the value of the pound against the Euro has caused daily living to cost more immediately.

Durhamjen If a person is granted citizenship of the U.K., then they have entitlement to vote and this is a reasonably uncommon practice throughout the world. There are many places where you can only be granted a work visa and have to leave as soon as work ends no matter how long you stay there are no voting rights. There are other countries where you may reside long term but still get no entitlement to vote and others countries where only those born in the country can vote.
If someone is happy to apply and meets the criteria to be granted citizenship and intend to remain, then they gave every right to vote.