So Brits who live abroad can now vote in the General Election.

About time too!
We live abroad off a UK pension, so of course we pay tax and are directly affected by the stupidity of Brexit.
I’m disgusted that so many Brits living and working in Europe were denied the chance to vote but are probably one of the groups who have suffered the most by the changes imposed on us.
Several of my expat friends have chosen to apply for citizenship of the country they’ve moved to to retain their European freedoms.
We used to work in HE and it will take years to undo the damage suffered by UK research institutions.

Since Brexit I'm barely allowed to vote here in Spain, only one out of 4 possibilities. Disenfranchised - thanks to Brexit in which I had no say at all. I've always been proud of being British but not now, so I'll be looking into Spanish nationality so that I can vote again in the country where I pay taxes. Again, Brexit, the gift that just keeps on giving.

I guess the brexiteers who left the country for business reasons when it became difficult to do business after Brexit still feel the need to have their views taken into account.

Nanna8

I have been offline for two days, so I am picking up a point several pages back.

There is more to beung invested in the UK than keeping up to date with the news and politics. It is, to use a stupid in phrase. It is about living experience of the country. Knowing the ins and outs of everyday life, the changes, the things that bother people in everyday life experiencing the current state of the NHS, the appalling state of the roads, how much support your local MP has given your community in opposing a huge infrastructure development. How good your local councillor is. These are the events that shape people's voting intentions.

The votes that count are the votes of people who are not tied to political parties and move fom one to the other, the 'floating' voters. For them it is the local issues and national issues that affect them locally that decide how they vote and who governs us.

There is no way someone living in another country can have that intimate knowledge.

My assumptions/perceptions of ex pats being Tory voters is based on the many news articles during Brexit.

It certainly seemed that a substantial proportion of retirees living in places like Benidorm voted to leave (which in itself was baffling) and were totally enamoured with Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage.

They would be unlikely to hail this duo as saviours under any circumstances if they weren't right wing.

I am not talking about younger people who have moved overseas to forge careers.

maddyone

I was not referring to you Nanna8. Sorry if you were offended.
I was referring to people who are boastful of the fact that they have got a vote, despite having lived abroad for many years, and are happy that they can get rid of this government. I want a change of government, but if people have lived abroad for a long period of time, I feel that they should have no right to vote in an election which doesn’t concern them.
You did say earlier in the thread that you wouldn’t be applying for such a vote because you haven’t live in the UK for many years (was it fifty?) You were taking the correct and moral decision. I can’t vote in any other country, and people living long term in other countries shouldn’t expect to be able to vote in my country.

Thanks for clearing that up maddyone Yes- I really think we long term ex pats shouldn’t be voting , I agree it is not right.
💕

I meant .....
I personally don't know anyone living abroad who is boastful about having the vote

I own property in the UK.
I'm trying to work out whether that makes someone more eligible to vote or not? Possibly.

I personally don't know anyone who is boastful about having the vote, but I do know plenty, (and on GN too), who go on and on about how dreadful life is for everyone in the UK, and think that their views are right when they don't actually live here. conceited . I agree with the poster who mentioned rose coloured spectacles because listening to some expats talking you would think the UK were knee high in litter, had hooligans on every street, had no trains running, everyone were rude and obese etc. We are doing OK here thanks, if somewhat disillusioned with politicians in general, and in some areas, the country of the Expat is actually worse.

No I wasn’t referring to you either CocoPops.

maddyone Please be advised that while I am very grateful to have a vote but I am certainly NOT boastful.
I have never known any Brits here boast about voting either.

I was not referring to you Nanna8. Sorry if you were offended.
I was referring to people who are boastful of the fact that they have got a vote, despite having lived abroad for many years, and are happy that they can get rid of this government. I want a change of government, but if people have lived abroad for a long period of time, I feel that they should have no right to vote in an election which doesn’t concern them.
You did say earlier in the thread that you wouldn’t be applying for such a vote because you haven’t live in the UK for many years (was it fifty?) You were taking the correct and moral decision. I can’t vote in any other country, and people living long term in other countries shouldn’t expect to be able to vote in my country.

I am sorry that many of you disagree with expats voting.
If Rishi believes that retired expats are all wealthly Tory supporters then he is out of date

I live in Canada where 2% of the population are British people (about 600,000) of ALL ages reside and you might be relieved to know that many are actually bang up to date regarding British politics.
I have dual Citizenship and hold both British and Canadian passports.
I own property in the UK, have family there and visit for extended periods. I care about the impact of Government policies on the British public and family members.
I am entitled to vote in the General Election, Therefore I do.

Joseann

Is Rishi's perception that retired expats are all wealthy Tory supporters living in big villas and sipping sangria round the pool?!

I wish 🍷😀

Is Rishi's perception that retired expats are all wealthy Tory supporters living in big villas and sipping sangria round the pool?!

Not sure why they are more likely to vote Tory ? Many left because of Margaret Thatcher etc. Last time I looked she was a conservative. All this talk has made me think about applying! As for the comments about smug expats, well, what a lovely attitude.

Whitewavemark2

Sunak must be looking looking to the (quite near) future 🤞, as I suspect that you won’t see his proverbial for steam if he loses the election and off he will go to live the dream in USA, but retain his vote.

But I did read somewhere that ex-pats are more likely to vote Tory - largely an older demography.

Exactly this. It is a cynical and under the radar attempt to pick up votes from retirees living abroad who, as you rightly say, are far more likely to vote Tory. They really are desperate and with little wonder.

Of course, why didn’t I think of it? Sunak will be off to America fastest than a rat out of a bolt hole after he is defeated and he wants to retain his vote!

I'm not sure why the OP assumes that UK citizens living abroad don't pay UK tax ?
Firstly , everything that I do is in accordance with the laws of both the UK and France.
I am a lifelong and intend to continue to be a UK citizen.
I too am British living in France. I moved when I was 67 years old , three years ago. We are not sure whether we will stay abroad or return to the UK but even should I die abroad I will still have spent nearly 80% of my life in the UK.
I am a lifelong and continuing UK taxpayer and for the 40 years that the UK was a member of the EU , I was, in my opinion, indirectly , also an EU taxpayer.
Can I repeat, very clearly, that I am a lifelong and continuing UK taxpayer and that prior to my retirement I worked for nearly 45 years, 95% of it full time.I have paid and continue to pay plenty of UK tax.
I also pay the French tax that is legally due to the French government.
I am entitled to retain an interest in my country and how it is governed and as it happens I have just been re-granted , this very day my Overseas Postal Vote so that I can vote in the forthcoming general election.
I have family members in the UK and I take an interest in the fate of the country also with a mind for their futures, especially the young ones. If we ever got someone like Trump in the UK then I would be delighted to have the opportunity to try and vote him out.
Other posters have pointed out that in the digital age one can remain fully informed and that many countries including the USA allow their citizens abroad to vote in US elections.
Among other examples I consider my right to vote just as valid as UK citizens living in the UK that don't bother to vote at all , particularly in General Elections.
I am not , post Brexit , allowed to be politically active in France.

The original post this morning was mine by the way.

JackyB

^No matter how up to date you think you are, how much uk tv you watch, reading the guardian on line, or talking to a family and friends in the uk, you are not up to date.^

(Rosie at 9:36 this morning)

I would contend that there are plenty of people living in the UK who do have a right to vote who are just as ill-informed.

So much to say on this subject but I think I'll leave it, except to say that in my small circle of 7 expats I think only 2 will be applying to vote. I expect we'll be discussing this next time we meet up.

Yes there are no doubt many ill informed voters in the UK. The big difference is they will live with the results of their ignorance. Those who have lived abroad for many years and will almost certainly never return should not vote.

Whitewavemark2

Sunak must be looking looking to the (quite near) future 🤞, as I suspect that you won’t see his proverbial for steam if he loses the election and off he will go to live the dream in USA, but retain his vote.

But I did read somewhere that ex-pats are more likely to vote Tory - largely an older demography.

If people have left the country many of them have been disenchanted. Only have to sit in a cafe to hear ex pats spout their strongly held, often ignorant views, Can’t imagine Sunak could rely on their vote.

Much like Gordon Brown increasing benefits so much that it made it unprofitable to get a job. That obviously didn’t work either.

Thank you. It's interesting to hear from those expats abroad - no doubt you're all on forums, (I'm not), where the right to a UK vote is discussed amongst yourselves. Equally interesting to balance that with the strong disapproval on GN which reflects the feelings of many in the UK.
All good discussion.

JackyB

^No matter how up to date you think you are, how much uk tv you watch, reading the guardian on line, or talking to a family and friends in the uk, you are not up to date.^

(Rosie at 9:36 this morning)

I would contend that there are plenty of people living in the UK who do have a right to vote who are just as ill-informed.

So much to say on this subject but I think I'll leave it, except to say that in my small circle of 7 expats I think only 2 will be applying to vote. I expect we'll be discussing this next time we meet up.

JackyB No it wasn't Rosie at 9.36 it was Mamardoit Please correct your post.

No matter how up to date you think you are, how much uk tv you watch, reading the guardian on line, or talking to a family and friends in the uk, you are not up to date.

(Rosie at 9:36 this morning)

I would contend that there are plenty of people living in the UK who do have a right to vote who are just as ill-informed.

So much to say on this subject but I think I'll leave it, except to say that in my small circle of 7 expats I think only 2 will be applying to vote. I expect we'll be discussing this next time we meet up.