To the British expatriate anywhere in
the World.
Why you should
have ‘Representation’ and thereby the Vote at Westminster!
First - If you live within the EU - It matters most to you.
The average expatriate Briton in Europe does not understand that their
ability to live in Europe depends on the UK Government. Especially is this so for all the ones who are
retired -54000 in France [about 430,000 in the EU]. But all, young and old*, can only have
the right to live here if the European Union holds together. It is very necessary indeed that the UK Government
acknowledges its responsibility towards the Britons in Europe. It
is just as necessary that the Briton in Europe ensures that the
UK Government exercises its responsibility in their interest.
This can only be achieved if they have representation in
Parliament. This is democracy. This message is quite vital for
the political health of the EU enterprise.
If European Union were to collapse, or the UK withdraw from the EU
as so many in the UK would foolishly wish, then many of us would
be in an uncertain condition.
*e.g.
health cost support for pensioners could collapse if the EU fails.
For every expatriate.
Representation
means having an MP who cares for you and who speaks for you in Parliament and
can intervene for you (i.e. express your concerns) with the bureaucrats in Whitehall or elsewhere.
Reasons.:-
1.
The pride of British Solidarity. This
is not the most obvious reason. But it
is the most fundamental. If you are not
proud of being British then you should ask yourself whether you should change your citizenship. Are you not proud of the once existing British
standards of fair play, and honesty, for
which the British culture used to be so respected across the globe.
Also,
in reverse, one asks the British Parliamentarians – ‘Are you not proud of the
work of British expatriates throughout the world? Are they not citizens whose
work and spirit should be respected?’
All
expatriates were shocked by the decline of public order in Britain which we witnessed in the summer of 2011. This decline we have witnessed long before we became resident abroad and
if we could, no doubt many of us would give some voice to its correction.
We
all have an interest in uniting to maintain a standing of honour in British
culture.
2. The UK Government represents the expatriate – even if the
expatriate is unaware of it.
It represents us in treaties and relationships with our host
countries But- the UK bureaucracy is largely unaware of our needs. It has no means of
listening to us! It has no ears!
These
needs range from matters of local social support - to government taxation and
conflicts or confusion between UK and host country regulations - e.g. employment
regulations for professionals. Without some means of feedback from
expatriates the Whitehall machine can and does just plough on without
understanding of the consequences for the individual. Its attitude therefore
evolves to protecting the perceived Government's position and not protecting
the British expatriates' position. The British Citizen abroad is a citizen ignored.
Examples:-
Pensions
– Those of teachers, Fire Service (and a lot more) are assumed to be
‘government’ pensions in France but ‘non-government pensions’ in Greece. NHS pensions
are ‘non-government’ pensions in France
but ‘government’ pensions in Germany. These
arbitrary decisions affect the taxation costs of thousands to the cost of thousands of
£s.
The
State retirement pension is frozen for many
expatriates in many countries but not all. Thus if you live in San Marino it is frozen, but not so in Florence. It is frozen
in Monaco, but not in Nice. It is frozen in Niagara Falls (Canada) but not in
Niagara Falls (USA).
Health – The UK makes agreements with the EU and its constituent
countries (where 1.5 million British citizens live) on health payments for
pensioners but the expatriate pensioners have no voice on such agreements in
their name.
Border
Controls. The UK makes whatever changes it chooses, without any ear as
to how this may affect the expatriate.
Banking
and Finance. Regulations which affect
how and where the expatriate can change or use financial systems within the UK never take cognisance of the impact on the
expatriate.
Interests in the UK.- Large numbers of expatriates have financial interests, and many property interests in the UK. It is plainly obvious that they have an interest in the management of the country!
The
Government could introduce old-age benefits limited to 'residents' . This is
the case already with the ridiculous Winter Fuel Payment. If it wasn't
for actions by some people it would not be paid to any expatriate. We
have to thank the EU for ensuring a partial fix. But there are some very
elderly expatriates who well have need for this extra money [The WFP is a payment
which by reducing the public purse, reduces the scale of the State Retirement pension]. The Whitehall bureaucrat is unaware that there are expatriates in financial difficulties through no fault of their own and which is exacerbated by the lack of concern by the British Government.
3. Expatriates in difficulty. Residents in the UK can visit or write to their MP if some particular
issue is important to them.
Expatriates may well have issues with a UK bank, the UK tax office, local authority, payment of pensions or social care
payments or a problem relating to a near relative – perhaps a child at a school
in the UK or a relative in nursing care. You may yourself on a visit to the UK run into some difficulty.
It
is the law that you cannot contact an Ombudsman
in relation to a Government body or the NHS except through a Member of
Parliament.
If
you have no MP then it is impossible to do this!
4. Finally The principle of Democracy -
that constant vigilance supports freedom.
Does
not the concept of ‘citizenship’ mean a
binding relationship between the governing body and the people?*- Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says 'nationality is the legal bond between a person and a State'. This is included in Harry Shindler's application to the ECHR on this subject. .... see note below
We
may be in title ‘subjects of the Queen’
but times have changed and I fear we have moved into a form of
dictatorship of Government which has
chosen to prevent any voice of millions
of its citizens being heard. They do not
speak because they know that no one is listening.
Many British expatriates feel ALIENATED from
the governance of their mother country because of the indifferent attitude of the British
Government. To establish a permanent vote would be a first step to redressing
this alienation.
If the expatriate does not have a democratic voice, the Government is free to
take any action which it distantly believes to be in its interest, that is not
necessarily in the interest of the expatriate citizen.
It is in your interest to support the democratic ideal. (click)
* Harry Shindler [90 years old -resident in Italy since 1982, holder of the Italy Star (World War II, Anzio beach-head), president of the association of British expatriates in Italy. ]
Harry has applied to the European Court of Human Rights against the UK's refusal to grant him representation at Westminster.
