The Referendum Bill

October 13^th 2015 the 2^nd 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 ***.

www.lefourquet.net/HOL-13-10-15.doc

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

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldhansrd/text/151013-0001.htm#15101360000463

 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……………..

http://uklibdems.eu/en/article/2015/1115459/lib-dems-fight-for-expat-votes-at-eu-referendum

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. 

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/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 13^th 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….. 

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUCitizenship

To Register  to vote (if less than 15 years abroad) --https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The UK is Wrong to stop me voting

Within the last  few days (May 7th 2015) I have received copies of complaints from people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as California, Massachusetts,  Norway,  and of course France and Spain.  The forum site SFN is loaded with more.  Why do people want to vote? The passion to do so is clear.  Yet so many politicians in the UK and so many residents there say ‘You have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.’

A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent.  They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can be proud.  Oddly that archaic institution, The Royal Family, is the focus of so much of this pride.  At a dinner of expats the other day, most of whom could not vote because like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.  Why cannot the idiots at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are all ambassadors of the British Nation!  It is we who foster the good will of the country. The ‘country?’ whatever that is – arises from the stupid confusion in the use of words.  We are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of islands.  We are a Nation - a people of a common culture.  Just as the French are a Nation with a shared culture. And as the French passionately hold onto that culture wherever they live so do the British.  Whatever a Nation’s Government does in the world affects each and every citizen.  The Government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.  We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of  us all. 

Naturally, many of us have material interests for why citizens abroad want a say in the development of the UK.  All of us, young and retired, may wish or need to return.  We need a sound NHS and all the social support systems to be good.  For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the UK. Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we have a care for them, for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between the States – A BREXIT could be a disaster.

For all these reasons we desire the vote.  But do you get the impression, as I do, that most Parties seek power for their own interest rather than the interest of the voter?

I hope that is a false impression, we need the Party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere. Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the Citizen abroad? – We may be expatriates (out of the homeland), but by no means are we ex-patriots.

Brian Cave, a leading campaigner in the team for UK expat rights whose website is www.votes-for-expat-brits.com, explains why it is important to him to be able to vote even though he has lived abroad for many years

WITHIN the last few days I have received copies of complaints from people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as California, Massachusetts, Norway and, of course, France and Spain.

The Connexion and expat forums have had even more.

So, why do people who no longer live in the UK still want to vote? The passion to do so is clear. Yet so many politicians in the UK and so many residents there say “You have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.”

A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent. They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can be proud. Oddly, that archaic institution the Royal Family is the focus of so much of this pride.

At a recent dinner of expats, most of whom could not vote because like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.

Why cannot those at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are all ambassadors of the British nation? It is we who foster the goodwill of the country.

The ‘country?’ - whatever that is. We are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of islands. We are a nation - a people of a common culture. Just as the French are a nation with a shared culture. And as the French passionately hold on to that culture wherever they live so do the British.

Whatever a nation’s government does in the world affects each and every citizen. The government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.

We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of us all.

Naturally, many of us have material interests as to why citizens abroad want a say in the development of the UK. All of us, young and retired, may wish or need to return.

We need a sound NHS and for all the social support systems to be good. For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the UK.

Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we care for them, for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between the States – a BREXIT could be a disaster.

For all these reasons we desire the vote. But do you get the impression, as I do, that most parties seek power for their own interest rather than the interest of the voter?

I hope that is a false impression, we need the party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere.

Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the citizen abroad?

We may be expatriates (‘out of the homeland’), but by no means are we ex-patriots.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/campaigner-Brian-Cave-expat-rights-vote-election-16926-view-article.html#sthash.Ebi4IyaW.dpuf

Brian Cave, a leading campaigner in the team for UK expat rights whose website is www.votes-for-expat-brits.com, explains why it is important to him to be able to vote even though he has lived abroad for many years

WITHIN the last few days I have received copies of complaints from people about the non-reception of voting papers from as far apart as California, Massachusetts, Norway and, of course, France and Spain.

The Connexion and expat forums have had even more.

So, why do people who no longer live in the UK still want to vote? The passion to do so is clear. Yet so many politicians in the UK and so many residents there say “You have left the country – you don’t deserve to vote.”

A number of those who write to me are young and clearly intelligent. They have the desire to see that Britain is a country of which they can be proud. Oddly, that archaic institution the Royal Family is the focus of so much of this pride.

At a recent dinner of expats, most of whom could not vote because like me we left the UK over 15 years ago, the meal was interrupted with the cry ‘It’s a girl!’ and glasses were raised to Kate and her baby.

Why cannot those at home realise that we, the citizens abroad, are all ambassadors of the British nation? It is we who foster the goodwill of the country.

The ‘country?’ - whatever that is. We are not a country – hills and towns, a little offshore set of islands. We are a nation - a people of a common culture. Just as the French are a nation with a shared culture. And as the French passionately hold on to that culture wherever they live so do the British.

Whatever a nation’s government does in the world affects each and every citizen. The government acts in the name of ALL the citizens.

We are today no longer ‘subjects’ of that Royal Institution that we so much respect but ‘citizens’ with a shared interest in the welfare of us all.

Naturally, many of us have material interests as to why citizens abroad want a say in the development of the UK. All of us, young and retired, may wish or need to return.

We need a sound NHS and for all the social support systems to be good. For many, our income is based in the UK. Many are taxed in the UK.

Most of us, of all ages, have family at ‘home’ and we care for them, for their welfare and education. Our lives depend on treaties between the States – a BREXIT could be a disaster.

For all these reasons we desire the vote. But do you get the impression, as I do, that most parties seek power for their own interest rather than the interest of the voter?

I hope that is a false impression, we need the party in power to act with thoughts for the citizens everywhere.

Yet have you heard any of them during this campaign utter a word of concern for the citizen abroad?

We may be expatriates (‘out of the homeland’), but by no means are we ex-patriots.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/campaigner-Brian-Cave-expat-rights-vote-election-16926-view-article.html#sthash.Ebi4IyaW.dpuf

The British Citizens the British Government ignores.

The British Minister for Europe [David Lidington]

Gave a speech in Berlin on 25 June 2014.

Mr. Lidington’s speech elaborates on the relationship between the National Governments and the EU Commission and the EU Parliament.

Below are five sentences from the speech which have significance for the democratic standing of British Citizens in the EU.

1.      We must recognise that it is national systems which enjoy greatest legitimacy with voters.

2.      We need to work within the grain of what people understand.

3.      And that is why we agree with those who are calling for a greater role for national governments in the Council and for national parliaments in the EU’s functioning. 

4.      National parliaments have significant expertise to bring to the legislative process, ensuring outcomes that are more relevant to communities by involving those who know them best – their representatives.

5.      National parliaments have a positive role to play, both sharing their expertise with EU institutions and helping citizens to feel connected with the EU.

Comment –
How can the British National Government claim to speak in the interest of all the British Citizens?

Concerning this 'positive' role national governments should play, the British Government  sets a very poor example in refusing its citizens full representation, including their national right to vote after they have lived 15 years in other EU member countries.

How is this helping such expatriate British citizens feel more connected with the EU, particularly if after 15 years they have no voice in any future referendum on UK membership?

A fuller quote including these five sentences and the full speech can be read via this link

What you should do – Send this to politicians in Westminster.

Addresses of politicians are found…

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

Health costs and Democracy for Citizens in Europe

To go to the Index and start click here

More comment on the Government Green paper

Concerning support for health costs in the EU

An example of why the Britons Abroad  in Europe and elsewhere  need Democratic Representation.

I appreciate the comments by readers of my circulars which have caused me to consider a further analysis of the situation on the costs of health care in Europe.

It involves a digging out of information in the EU regulations.

The consultative Green Paper is entitled

“Sustaining services, ensuring fairness”

A consultation on migrant access and their financial contribution to NHS provision in England.”

1.   This Green Paper was issued in July with a date of August 28^th for the return of observations.  This is my immediate concern - The situation is unacceptable that people most affected by certain aspects are given no direct knowledge of this green paper, and no time at all to respond!

2.  The title gives no indication whatsoever that the contents also concern the health costs of British pensioners in the EU.  It is only by rare chance in October that I learned of its existence and quick action ensured that the contents were widely known.   

These concerns were particularly and rightly publicised (especially by The Connexion in France) because of the effect on the health costs of the ‘early retirees’ who would have their support for health care in the wider EU removed. 

Since then I have received comments which result in the analysis below.

The British State Pensioner abroad and treatment under the NHS.

The essence of this analysis is the ability of British State pensioners otherwise resident in other States of the EU to receive treatment under the NHS in Britain.

*See further note below for other British State Pensioners in the rest of the World.

At this present time – if you are a British State Pensioner and have at least 10 years of residence in the UK, but you happen now to be resident abroad, you are NOT entitled to free treatment under the NHS.  However many of us have received treatment in the UK.  Maybe only an eye test, sometimes more. 

[Confusion on this is introduced by the fact that the EHIC –health card – is issued by the UK to all British State Pensioners in the EU.  This card requires the UK to pay the health costs of those travelling to another EU State, which is not their resident State! Thus questioning the situation with regard to visits of pensioners to the UK.

Confusion also exists with the EU law which enables any citizen, retired or not, to travel to another State for treatment if that treatment is not available in one’s State of residence.]

The Green Paper in Annex A makes similar observations to some of the above.  It elsewhere suggests that in future the costing of  health for State pensioners in their resident  State within the EU could be thus affected:-

Clause 6.13  “The benefit to the UK of allowing state pensioners to return for their planned treatment would be a discount of 5% from payments to all countries to whom we make lump sum annual payments for our pensioners. “

The second phrase underlined relating to annual payments, refers to the EU Regulation 987/2009  and  to Annex 3 of that regulation.

This lists the States claiming payment for health treatment on the basis of fixed amounts. They are:- IRELAND, SPAIN, ITALY, MALTA, THE NETHERLANDS, PORTUGAL, FINLAND, SWEDEN, UNITED KINGDOM

It is to the countries listed above that the proposal to cut the fixed amount by 5% would apply.

All other countries claim the actual amount  and would not be affected. – e.g France, Belgium, Germany, Cyprus. etc in the EU…  The actual amount is the amount which the State of Residence has to find – not, as I have ascertained, the actual amount for the treatment as charged to the patient pensioner.  So in France the French State asks of Britain something considerably less than the full cost of the treatment to the patient.

The underlined phrase ‘planned treatment’ seems unnecessary. What is the significance of that phrase?

Then we need to look at EU Regulation 883/2004.  Annex IV to that regulation lists certain States where their Pensioner Nationals can return to their native land for health treatment [there is no reference to ‘planned treatment’ nor in the referenced article 27 here] – they are BELGIUM, GERMANY, GREECE, SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, AUSTRIA and SWEDEN.

Note that the United Kingdom is not listed.  The Green Paper would one supposes result in the UK being included in Annex IV. 

One of my correspondents has informed me that this is indeed what the Government is considering.

The result would be that qualifying Pensioners in the EU beyond the UK  could return quite legally to receive treatment under the NHS  and the confusion and uncertainties which has previously existed would be removed.

*Other qualifying  British State Pensioners resident elsewhere in the World would also benefit from a change in the regulations enabling treatment under the NHS on their occasional visits.  

The relationship of all this to the need for Representation in the Westminster Government.

If we had someone to represent us in Government then this rigmarole would not be necessary.  The DoH could consult with the representatives who would seek opinion from certain groups within each country.  A real democracy could come into being.

It is quite wrong in my view that the Government can produce such a ‘green paper’ and be apparently quite incapable of making appropriate contacts with the people most affected.

This is also so patently obvious with regard to the proposed Referendum.  This would affect the British Abroad in Europe very closely and yet are not in line to be consulted.

It is essential that we are Represented.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/55085

The address of the DoH is

International Healthcare Team

Department of Health

3rd Floor

Wellington House

133-155 Waterloo Road

London SE1 8UG

Email    migrantaccess@dh.gsi.gov.uk

(Remember that the consultation on the green paper closed on August 28^th 2013)

The green paper is viewable at

 http://www.lefourquet.net/DoH-07-13-healthcosts.pdf

Anger amongst the Britons Abroad

The continuing saga of the Winter Fuel Payment. (WFP)

Read this    News-article.from The Connexion

Let’s get it straight. 

• There are quite a few pensioners in France and beyond, who need the money.  They went to France when the £ was strong; and when they got a reasonable return on bank and building society savings.  They came to enjoy more space in cheaper housing than was possible in the UK. They had the guts to appreciate another culture.  They might have thought that the climate would be better and generally it is so with clearer skies and longer winter days.  But they found that winter temperatures were colder, though winter may be shorter.  If they came here more than 15 years ago the WFP did not exist.  When Gordon Brown introduced this old-age benefit, they were at first excluded.   As time has passed, they find the £ has shrunk in value; interest on British savings has dwindled to almost zero; inflation has risen; taxation of income and property in France has risen.  . 
  If they wanted to change their British Bank or Building Society because the banks have bust, they couldn’t and still can’t.

Apart from the French  prices and tax inflation, the British Government is responsible for much of this. It is oblivious to the effect on Britons Abroad of their policies, and frankly is not interested in the Briton Abroad because most of us have no voice in Parliament. Most politicians feed on ‘power’. Their power comes from the votes of the people.    Even the simple ability for Britons abroad to vote was shrunk by the Blair Government from 20 years to 15 years.  But at the time few British residents in Europe took any interest in voting and in those politicians who control their finances.  They turned their eyes away, saying “I’m not interested in politics.” It is still a common theme. Misfortune has come upon them. 

The British Government knowingly or not, gives an unwitting reaction – “They are not interested. We can ignore them.” 

Result – A Briton Abroad is a Briton Ignored. 

• The European Commission is on our side.  Without it, we would be at the mercy of an uninterested, even antagonistic British Government The EU Commission encourages Britons to be good citizens of Europe. Many British politicians do not just ignore us, they dislike us.  This attitude is encouraged  by parts of the British media which have long been anti!   
• It was the EU Commission who forced the hand of the UK to pay the WFP to all.  Now the British Government want to cut it away again by using deceitful , dishonest fiddling with statistics.
• Some Britons Abroad are fighting back, and have always done so, but till now have been few in number.
• Here is two exchanges between one of us and the Civil Service in the Department of Works and Pensions.

http://www.lefourquet.net/Boaden1x.pdf    and

http://www.lefourquet.net/Boaden2x.pdf

The effect of the British Government on the Briton in Europe

The Government wriggles in trying to impose a temperature threshold on the payment of the Winter Fuel Payment to Britons in Europe, an ‘old-age’ benefit under EU law.

The Government wants our support to maintain their power and yet denies us the ability to vote for or against them after 15 years non-residence in the UK.

The Government taxes those who at one time worked in some form of Government service (such as our soldiers) and then denies them any voice.

The Government makes it difficult to move  money around British Banks by making it impossible to open a new account in the UK.

The Government achieves an exchange rate so low that  many British pensioners reliant on their savings have seen a great drop in income.

You can help.

To help us on our way to achieve some success sign the following petitions and write to certain politicians.

For voting/Representation

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238

And to leave a comment below - It is  not possible on the official petition.

www.votes-for-expat-brits,com

Write to the politician  Chloe Smith  Minister for Political Reform c/o....

 publiccorrespondence@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

For a proper payment of the Winter Fuel Payment

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/55085

Write to a politician Steve Webb, Minister for Pensions c/o.....

 ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Winter Fuel Payment -- Dynamite.

 To go to the Index and beginning click here

Praise to The Connexion for digging out some facts. 

 *********************

Below --- Copied from The Connexion - The English journal printed in France and also online.

August 30th 2013

"French tropic link to UK fuel pay ban

 

French tropic link to UK fuel pay ban

THE FIVE French overseas departments - all of which have tropical climates - were included in the calculation of France's average winter temperature which was then used to determine whether British expatriates should continue to receive the winter fuel allowance, Connexion has found.

The Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mayotte and French Guiana in South America were all included. Méteo France data is only available for the first three online but shows an average winter temperature of 26C.

The islands' temperatures were used with those of mainland France to gain an average which was then compared with 5.6C for the south-west of England. If the resulting figure was higher - as was the case with France - the country was deemed "too hot" and the payments will be stopped.

This may explain why Italy, which does not have any overseas tropical territories, was deemed acceptably cold while France was not.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said the DOMs were included because they are considered to be part of France and therefore the EU - so Britons who live there could claim the winter fuel allowance. Connexion is searching for information on how many Britons live in these departments.

If you believe WFA should not be stopped for Britons in France sign the petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk

This is open to UK residents or nationals - if your non-UK postcode is not accepted, leave that section blank.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/winter-fuel-allowance-uk-expat-france-temperature-overseas-tropical-islands-15000-view-article.html#sthash.j5nZkBWy.pngs05qM.dpuf "

 **********************

Comment -- As Mark Twain is purported to have said 
"There are lies, damned lies and statistics!"

It is astounding that any official could believe the temperature figures resulting from this data, relate it to the mainland of France  and then claim that the 59600 British pensioners resident in France are living in a hot country!  The Government statistics show that only 30 British pensioners live in the tropical French overseas territories.
Yes do sign the petition above  - It mounted about a  thousand signatures the day the Connexion published.  But I urge you also to think a step back from this .
WHY does the British Government ignore the British Pensioner abroad - Simply because we do not count! We do not count because we are not counted.  We have no representation in the Government of the British Nation. We have no votes that can be counted!
So please sign another petition  http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238
and add your comments to this site www.votes-for-expat-brits.com 

And PLEASE - Circulate to Accumulate

THE FIVE French overseas departments - all of which have tropical climates - were included in the calculation of France's average winter temperature which was then used to determine whether British expatriates should continue to receive the winter fuel allowance, Connexion has found.

The Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mayotte and French Guiana in South America were all included. Méteo France data is only available for the first three online but shows an average winter temperature of 26C.

The islands' temperatures were used with those of mainland France to gain an average which was then compared with 5.6C for the south-west of England. If the resulting figure was higher - as was the case with France - the country was deemed "too hot" and the payments will be stopped.

This may explain why Italy, which does not have any overseas tropical territories, was deemed acceptably cold while France was not.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said the DOMs were included because they are considered to be part of France and therefore the EU - so Britons who live there could claim the winter fuel allowance. Connexion is searching for information on how many Britons live in these departments.

If you believe WFA should not be stopped for Britons in France sign the petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk

This is open to UK residents or nationals - if your non-UK postcode is not accepted, leave that section blank.
- See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/winter-fuel-allowance-uk-expat-france-temperature-overseas-tropical-islands-15000-view-article.html#sthash.j5nZkBWy.pngs05qM.dpuf

EMIGRATION of British State Pensioners

To go to the beginning and to the  INDEX click here

The statistics on the world wide distribution of British State Pensioners has been published for  
MAY 2012 (on March 1st 2013).
See the original tabulation here -click
Certain information has been selected and tabulated below.  This publication follows various other postings of a similar nature on this site. See notably http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.fr/2011/11/british-pensioners-leave-britain-yet.html
The Index to this site lists others equally relevant.

The above table selects certain countries and the migration of British pensioners is listed and sorted according to the figures in the right hand column.  This column gives the PERCENTAGE change in migration in the LAST YEAR 2011-2012
The countries which hold the largest NUMBER are in order
Australia , Canada, USA, Ireland, then Spain and France.
In the last year five countries have seen a decrease - Four of those have frozen pensions.
Two significant countries with frozen pensions have seen increases - India and New Zealand.
The Netherlands and Switzerland have seen the highest %  change in the last year.
Spain, France and Ireland have experienced the greatest increase in actual numbers over the decade.
Pakistan and Jamaica show a remarkable % drop over the decade, but the number in Pakistan is relatively low.
The factors which influence this migration are quite varied.  Financial, Family, and Cultural and Social conditions must play a part but differ from country to country and from individual to individual.
About 9.4 % of all State Pensioners now live beyond the UK.  If all the countries of the World are included there were in May 2012 -about 1,202,620 State Pensioners resident abroad.
These pensioners are mostly subject to decisions of the British Government (if not the resident citizens! of Britain.)
Those in Europe will have a ghastly shock if Britain pulled out of the European Union. All 450,000 of them, including the smaller countries.
Those in the further Commonwealth have long suffered the problems of frozen pensions and probably that is why the numbers in some of these countries is declining.
All should have a democratic voice in the decisions of Parliament which affect them.
To do so they should be aware of the petition given below and sign up!
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43238

Europe and the British Citizen

To go the the Index and start click here.

EUROPE

Sir Roger Gale MP (Cons North Thanet) writes in his January newsletter…..

….. Boris Johnson, suggests that David Cameron must hold an “In/Out” referendum and that it should be held before the next general election.  ………………………….   …………..  with polls suggesting that today more than 50% of the electorate would vote for the exit door it`s easy to see where the Mayor of London is coming from.  That Herman Van Rompuy believes that the “EU would fall apart if countries were allowed to pick and choose” which policies they would like to endorse indicates a triumph of bureaucracy over democracy.  The people? Choose? Perish the thought. “The single Market”, says Rumpy Pumpy “would unravel”.  Now there are those of us who were naive enough to believe that it was a single market and not a Federal United States of Europe, that we were joining all those years ago.  And yet curiously, it is the arch-federalist Jacques “Up Yours” Delors, three-times President of the European Commission, who comes out of the woodwork to suggest that the UK could enjoy a “partnership” in  a European Free-Trade Area without necessarily remaining a member of the EU.

Get out of Europe?

The Britons who live in Europe must seriously understand the pressure that is building to take Britain out of the Union.   At its extreme this could be a disaster.  At its best it means a re-appraisal of circumstances for all Britons in Europe.  As things stand none of these Britons have any political voice whatsoever in whatever decisions are made, yet these Britons are those most closely affected.  The situation is not democratic.

Consider the worst scenario – That is to say complete secession from the European Union.   Britons would then have much the same status as Americans in Europe.

Britons would no longer be European Citizens – the passports would all revert to Citizens of the British Isles (or England & Wales, Scotland, etc….)

Freedom to live and move at will in continental Europe, to freely own property, transfer funds without hindrance would cease [The four freedoms of Movement of Goods, Capital, Services and People].  Winter Fuel Payments would cease, perhaps difficulties with other benefits (?); automatic medical support would cease, The use of the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) would cease, which would affect all British Citizens holidaying in Europe.

This worst scenario is surely unlikely.  Yet is that what the anti-unionists are proposing? (that is --- Exit from the EU)

It is suggested by some that Britain could have a status similar to Switzerland or Norway (so called European Free Trade Association States).  These countries are not in the Union as such but the difference in actuality is really quite slight. 

Looking at EFTA Status for Britain?

The following is condensed from the WIKIPEDIA  reference on the EFTA nations

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The EFTA nations (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and also Switzerland)  adhere to the same "four freedoms" as the EU -goods, persons, services, and capital, and in consequence these countries have accepted in this regard the Laws of the European Union. BUT they have little influence on the decision-making processes in Brussels, because they are not members of the EU, though members of the EEA (European Economic Area)

The EFTA countries do not bear the financial burdens of EU membership, although they contribute financially to the European single market.

After the EU/EEA enlargement of 2004, there was a tenfold increase in the financial contribution of the EEA States, in particular Norway, to social and economic cohesion in the Internal Market (€1167 million over five years).

EFTA countries do not receive any funding from EU policies and development funds.

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Could Britain be like Switzerland or Norway?

The outer ring of EFTA members within the umbrella of the European Economic Area still come under EU directives without being fully involved in their construction.  What then is the advantage of not being full members?  That is difficult to understand – perhaps it is just an emotional idea.  It is surely odd to be subject to the EU regulations and not be able to participate in their formulation? These countries, much smaller than the UK, have essentially accepted a less democratic association with the EU just to remain part of the single market. This weakening of the influence of the UK in a similar association with the EU would certainly suit Jacques Delors, not known in the past for his support of Britain.

What do those people in Britain who wish to see Britain ‘out of the EU’ actually seek?  There is no clear vision from them but only negative criticism.

If they want to see the country leave fully and completely then truly it could well be a monumental shock which all British Citizens on the continent would regret. It is unrealistic to expect a smooth withdrawal from the EU (with a bonfire of all agreements), and a belief that this would result in a flourishing British economy.

To quote from a blog on the site of the influential organisation ‘TheCityUK’ –representing finance firms. “The UK’s financial and professional services sector benefits greatly not only from access to the Single Market within the EU but also from the global opportunities that the EU, negotiating globally from a position of market strength, can bring.” The Chairman of ‘TheCityUK’ says – ‘We have not made the case strongly enough how important it is that the UK remains the EU's financial centre.’

If Britain seceded from the Union, then International Banks would probably move their operations to Europe. The British GDP could lose 25 billion in trade.

Should it not be the role of Britain to play a full part in the development of Europe? With the European Commission’s trade directorate at this time proposing comprehensive trade negotiations with the US and Japan, shouldn’t the UK be involved in such talks between equivalent economic weight trading areas, as part of the EU?

Britain should take a lead in helping to correct the failings of Europe and willingly and wholeheartedly bring to the European nations the expertise and leadership for which Britain ought to be famed.   The Nations of Europe deplore the weakness of Britain in Europe. Britain should get ‘stuck in’ and take a lead. No longer should it pussyfoot in the wings.

Should not the British Citizens who live on the Continent and are profoundly affected be consulted?  Why does the British Government not consider them?  Are more than a million British Citizens to be ignored?

Should not British Citizens in Europe shake off their British apathy and take action?

We should demand that our voices are heard.

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Take Action.

Select politicians (MPs & Lords) of your choosing  from the address list.  One of our correspondents has written to 22 MPs.  Our future depends on this kind of action.

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

Affix this whole message and send.

“Please consider the needs of the one million British Citizens in Europe.  We need to remain part of the European Union.  Furthermore we need a democratic voice through a democratic principle to vote for an elected representative, so that our voice is always to be heard when the British Government makes decisions which affect us.”

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Pensioners on the Move

To go to the start and the index - click here

More and more UK pensioners are now moving abroad yet remain dependent on the UK for their pensions and savings.  Many have pensions and other income taxed in the UK. Large numbers also have close family and other cultural links.  Most are British Citizens [but not all!] The question that becomes ever more insistent is Do they have a right to bring pressure on the ‘home’ government?  Are they justified in bringing the British Government to account?

Let’s look at the statistics.  As an example - In 1973 when Britain joined the EU there were only 2200 British State Pensioners resident in France.  Today the number is 56,930. 

The following table gives a current world wide view of this emigration. To date there are 1,197,690 UK State pensioners resident abroad.

It is presented to stimulate the debate on Representation. You are invited to consider the motivations for the movements and also to consider the interest the pensioners might retain in Britain.
1. Economics -2 Family connections 3. Cultural background 

To enlarge - click on the table - to return press 'esc'.

 Data is derived from the Government web site as follows – (various dates are accessible)   

http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/cccountry/cnage/a_carate_r_cccountry_c_cnage_feb12.html

Europe is shaded in a block.  Minus figures are in red.  In each column– the highest figure is shaded yellow.

In the *starred* countries, pensioners have pensions which increase with inflation.  

Un-starred countries have frozen pensions .

The countries are selected largely by size of pensioner population but some others because of other interesting features.

There are three broad reasons (which certainly have not the same strength everywhere) why many Pensioners have a moral  Right to Representation to the British Government, and in reverse for the British Government to have the moral responsibility to respect them as proud British citizens which most wish to be.

1. Household Economy

2. Family involvement  

and 3. Cultural History

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UPDATE (Jan 30th 2013)  On October 23^rd 2012 a debate took place in the House of Lords which considered the Lifetime Representation of the Briton Abroad -i.e. the removal of the current 15 year time limit on Representation. 
Lord Lexden introduced An amendment to the Electoral Registration Bill.  Previously in The Commons Mr. Clifton-Brown MP had done the same.  Both times the amendments were withdrawn under pressure from Government spokesmen.  Once again in the Lords (Report Stage) Lord Lexden introduced an amendment and again withdrew it with the agreement to chair an all-party committee on the issue. That is the situation at the end of January 2013.

It is important to influence the Politicians and support those who have the interest of the Briton Abroad at heart. Truly - Democracy is at stake here.

To locate their email addresses so that you can write to them  look at…….

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/lords/