The Parliamentary Constituency of
Uxbridge and South
Ruislip
Votes for British Citizens Abroad
James Franklyn Jackson.
Parliamentary Candidate.
James
Franklyn Jackson is an accountant and former Treasurer of Colwyn Borough
Council and later the Falkland Islands Government. He now lives in Carcassonne (near Narbonne),
France and has recently published a book
on the escapades and voting practices of various European Mayors
entitled 'BOUND BY CHAINS AND SASHES'.
He explains his
motives in standing for Parliament.
My action was brought about by my interest and disgust in current and
often corrupt voting systems and loss of my voting rights after 15 years
abroad. Here in France,
I have spoken to many about the absence of a vote and frankly, many are
apathetic. I can understand this on the present need for annual registration in
your last registered area when links diminish, MPs change, and often your vote
makes no difference in a stronghold constituency. I have two concerns. Firstly,
a possible EU referendum. It would be inconceivable to me that we should not
have a vote. As Dominic Grieve, a former Attorney General said recently - exit
from the EU could mean UK
citizens living and working abroad becoming illegal immigrants overnight. And
what would be the reverse effect of the position of millions of migrants living
and working in the UK?
I do not think this has been thought through.Secondly, there is the potential
loss or reduction of personal income tax allowance. In a consultation paper,
the UK Government estimated it could save some £400m. This really is small
change in the overall scheme of government spending and just a sound-bite for
political purposes. If you calculate from that figure the actual sum of income
tax paid by these British citizens abroad into the UK
coffers, it is disgraceful that the majority do not receive a right to vote. I
and several others did respond to the consultation paper pointing out the
likely effects of loss on income tax relief - return to the UK of many British citizens
who could not afford the loss of up to £2,000 each per year, with the
consequence of more pressure upon the already overburdened housing market and
even more significantly, the creaking national health service.
For our efforts, we have received no reply, not even an acknowledgement!
I also supported the 10 minute rule Bill sponsored by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
and thank him for his efforts. However, there was insufficient time for the
second reading on 6 March and a revised date of 29 March thwarted by the
Easter recess. Now of course we have the election. It has raised awareness of
the situation, but we need continuation of this process to abolish the 15 year
rule.
I have had excellent articles printed by the Uxbridge Gazette; my own
professional body, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountants
and now The Telegraph has given the campaign further coverage at national
level. The Big Issue has promised to cover the story when space allows.
In selecting Uxbridge and South
Ruislip, I thought the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson to be the
charismatic personality capable of obtaining media attention for our
cause. He has already actively encouraged those British citizens
abroad who are able to vote, to register to do so. He should be a great
asset
in support of obtaining a lifetime vote for Britons abroad and
eventually representation in the British Parliament similar to the system
where Mme Axelle Lemaire became an elected representative in 2012 in the French
National Assembly for French citizens residing in North-West Europe (outside of France).
To become a candidate, I required 10 subscribers - ie registered electors in
Uxbridge - to support my nomination without any commitment to vote for me.
Contrary to my expectations, it proved to be an easy task. I could have got a
hundred if required. I just chose an area from Google Earth, went door-to-door
and had 10 signatures in 90 minutes. Once the objective of overturning the 15
year rule was explained, most residents were very supportive and signed without
hesitation. One commented that it was disgraceful that British citizens and
taxpayers were excluded from voting when the Government was considering giving
the vote to prisoners (who incidentally are excluded from standing as
Parliamentary candidates)! After paying £500 I became a candidate.
I am not at all concerned with
obtaining votes. Indeed, it would be a shock if Boris Johnson were not elected
with a thumping majority. My objectives are to both raise awareness that
many British citizens, passport holders, and tax payers, are denied a vote and
to have some ammunition in the event of the Government pursuing the restriction
of income tax personal allowance to its very own people.
Agincourt (1415) and Waterloo
(1815) are revered dates in British history and will be commemorated this year
-2015 - as examples of promotion and defence of British interests and citizens
abroad. It is about time the now inward looking Britain
remembered its history and began once again to support all its citizens.
Returning the vote to them and stop punishing them for living in Europe of
which Britain
is supposed to be a part, would be a worthwhile achievement in 2015.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ----
If you have any connection with
Uxbridge or Ruislip – use it! Influence
people there to at least discuss the issue of Votes for British Citizens
Abroad.
Write to the local paper in
Uxbridge/Ruislip – The Uxbridge Gazette. A number of letters to that paper will
raise the profile of the matter.
Mr. Jackson’s contact telephone number is 0033 (0) 468
478537.
