October
13th 2015 the 2nd reading of the
Bill was debated in the House of Lords.
Many members spoke about the lack of
a democratic voice for those who have lived beyond the UK for more than 15 years.
Relevant extracts are included in
this *** digest ***.
Read what Lord Shipley said
If we left the EU, work permits could
return, more people could have to apply for skilled migrant
visas, reciprocal health schemes could be reduced, the
operation of UK state pensions could be affected and the
general ease of mobility for UK citizens across the EU would
become much more complicated and uncertain. I wonder whether
the Government have calculated the impact if large numbers
of UK
citizens decided to return to the UK
in the event of our exit from the EU.
The full Hansard report is here
The
Liberal Democrat Party intend at the Committee stage to
introduce an amendment to widen the franchise (the voting) to
include at least ALL British Citizens in Europe. This
concept was supported by at least some members of all parties.
Baroness Royall, who was in the last parliament leader of the
Labour Party in the House of Lords, approved.
Neil Kinnock (Lab) -at one
time leader of the Labour Party-
and Paddy Ashdown(LD) - similarly a previous leader of
the LibDems- have said that they will vote for any
such amendment. Lord
Lexden (Cons) has pushed for the life-time vote for years.
The Lib Dem announcement on this is
here……………..
Those in
countries beyond the EU who receive this item should grasp
the thought that voting rights will add force to the claim for
pension parity. They
may not get the vote in this amendment, but if they lobby for
support for this amendment – it should hasten the
Votes-for-Life Bill.
After that may well follow a true and
full representation of the Citizens abroad. But moreover you may want
to live in France or Italy later on or may be your family will
– Remember all British Citizens are also European Citizens.
What should be done now…. Lobby a
likely Lord!
In the following link you will see
lists of the members of the House of Lords.
It can be difficult choosing which
member or members to contact – By scanning down the list you
can see names who you feel may be supportive e.g. Bakewell,
Blunkett, Boothroyd etc.. and you can see also how active they
have been as members. Lobby those who have not spoken in the
***digest*** above.
In
sending a mail please modify the following - This is important
because the HoL clearing room for emails will not forward
perceived identical mails - nor multiple addressed copies of
mails.
So
personalise it.
“Dear (enter the
members name),
The Referendum
Bill
Do please support the
amendment which will be placed at Committee Stage to ensure
that British Citizens abroad who have lost their right to
vote and have a sincere interest in the outcome of the
Referendum can have a voice in this Referendum. I understand that
leading members of all Parties intend to vote for it
including members Kinnock, Ashdown, Lexden and others such
as Royall, and many Liberal Democrats and also cross-bench
Peers.
Extracts from Hansard of the debate
on October 13th can be read here
www/lefourquet.net/HOL-13-10-15.doc
Obviously you can invent
your own letter or add material to this one. And when you
get a good response do please acknowledge.
FOR those (all British Citizens) who are also
European Citizens – this should interest you…..
To Register to
vote (if less than 15 years abroad)
--https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
