UKIP and the British Expatriate in the European Union.

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Crisis for the Expatriate in Europe?

Why has UKIP been so successful?

Probably because in Britain, the public is disenchanted by their experiences with the traditional politicians.  [See also below **Nigel Farage**]

Expatriates haven’t had a chance to express an opinion. Many can’t vote! Most of the rest do not bother. Amongst them it would seem ‘apathy’ rules.  The Government’s Electoral Commission has made efforts to get to them to register to vote.  Petitions originating in Spain and France to awaken a political consciousness have become damp squibs.  As a leading example, a petition begun by  the editor of a French English language newspaper (the Connexion)  has attracted only just over 3400 signatures – It needs tens of thousands of signatures. Why do expats not claim the right to vote!  It is in their interest to do so.

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

There are over 60,000 British pensioners living in France [106,000 in Spain; and another 140,000 throughout Europe excluding Ireland] -these groups have the most to lose if Farage’s UKIP  gains ascendancy in Britain.  Why have not these 300,000 signed these petitions? Is it that they are ignorant of the situation?  By doing so they could gain power to protect their pensions, investments, health care costs and other aspects of their lives.   But it seems they cannot be bothered; they are apathetic and ‘cannot see the point’ in voting for a politician in the UK.  Quite probably few also have bothered to vote for the MEP lists for the Euro-Parliament.

You can see a reason for this appalling apathy.  As things are, there is only a handful of British politicians who show the slightest interest at all in the welfare of Britons abroad. Those few of us who have written to MPs get answers saying ‘The government has decided this or that.’  They never show a willingness to debate, to listen.  It is surely necessary that they are forced to take an interest.

Turning attention to the younger generation of expatriates, remember also,– they can only live in the EU by agreement with the EU. For these reasons (and more), some representatives for expatriates are necessary at Westminster.

If the Farage bandwagon continues to its desired end the situation could be most uncomfortable for British people living in other Countries of the EU.  A referendum flying on the words of Nigel Farage could spell disaster for them

If the expatriates fail to have political protection, then they are not masters of their lives. If the EU fails for us, we have no defence.

The situation is dangerous.

**Farage and cultural change.**

Nigel Farage is undoubtedly exuberant and is quite a positive and likeable chap.  He seems to be listening to the mood of the people – in Britain.  That mood, partly arising from political disenchantment would appear also to arise from discomfort at cultural change in Britain brought about by immigration. But a similar argument can operate in reverse in France and parts of Spain.

In France, am I odd in feeling uncomfortable when one hears a large number of English voices  in a small town?  Is it possible that some French people could also be uncomfortable with this cultural change?  Is this also true in Spain? Cyprus?

The  danger for British Citizens in Farage’s desire to exit the EU?

British Citizens would cease to be European Citizens!  That is truly serious.

The Briton would no longer have the right to freely live and move in Europe.

Euro laws would no longer operate to preserve the right to ensure that British State pensions be paid in full in Europe.  All benefits would cease to be protected,

Health care support would cease.

The French (or Spanish, Cypriots etc.) could impose restrictions on foreigners in almost any manner. This would impinge of the lives of both older and younger generations.  Emigration from the UK to Europe would be seriously affected.

All Euro States would become as foreign to the British State as any other country in the world.

In brief it is most urgent that Britons abroad in Europe  are heard and listened to in the British parliament.

All who value the present situation and their ability to live in the European Union should sign this petition of the Editor of the Connexion.

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

And also this one  --- www.europeancitizensabroad.eu

If you entitled to  register to vote in the UK elections – do so here

https://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/    [Go to ‘overseas voters’]

It is desirable that people contact MPs – even the Prime Minister- in Britain.   Get an address from this link -

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

You could forward this item… But the low number of signatures on the petitions simply affirms in their minds that the matter is of no importance to us. 

If  Farage has his way in some future referendum,  our world could be become greatly changed, and we will have no say at all.  Remember that.

(Brian Cave – lefourquet@gmail.com)

View more than 640  comments from expatriates who want the vote here. http://polldaddy.com/poll/5099387/?view=results

CROSS BORDER TAXATION in THE EUROPEAN UNION - DOUBLE TAXATION

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Introduction.  If income is coming from one European State when one is resident in another State The various rules relating to Double Taxation can be far from benign.  The Double Taxation rules can actually increase the amount of tax paid by an individual.

If you are British and a retired from Teaching - Military service, Police, Fire service, Local or National Government work, and some positions in the Health Service, then this  consultation concerns you. 

 Taxation and reinforcing the single market for EU citizens

The European Commission (EC) has launched three initiatives to gather ideas to remove tax obstacles that hinder the ability of individuals to move within the single market of the EU. There are two consultations. One covering the tax issues citizens encounter when they actively move between member states, the other covering Inheritance Tax (IHT) issues. Additionally on expert group is being set up with the aim of gathering ideas to deal with taxation obstacles that get in the way of cross border activity. The feedback will then allow the EC to look at solutions to any problems that are highlighted

Some of the matters intended to be covered by the expert group include:

• Taxation obstacles to free movement.
• Personal  income tax and IHT, but the group may look at other areas such as vehicle  taxation and  e-commerce where this impacts on the individual.
• Tax declarations in more than one State.
• Double Taxation Treaties.
  
• Working in other countries in the EU,
• Investing in other member states.

The links to the relevant websites are provided below. These all originate with the EU Commission.

1.  Call for applications to participate in the expert group:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/individuals/expert_group/index_en.htm

2.  Public consultation on tax obstacles:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/tax/2014-04_cross_borders_en.htm

3  Public consultation on inheritance taxation:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/tax/2014-04_inheritance_tax_en.htm

4. A website has been set up to provide helpful information to individuals affected by cross border taxation –

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/individuals/index_en.htm

WHAT YOU CAN DO –

1.   Private Citizens can respond to items 2 and 3.  If you have factual important detail to impart please do so.

2.  Those of you who use accountants or other professional advisors.   You will probably find it helpful to forward this mail to him/her.

 NOTE WELL – The consultations  finish on 3^rd July 2014

*******************************

The web site link below has various references to the problems affecting taxation of expatriates in France and Europe. Go to the Index....

http://pensionersdebout.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/index-to-major-postings-on-this-blog.html

scroll down to the heading TAXATION and DOUBLE TAXATION.

                                                                                                                    

The European (MEP) elections.

To go to the start and Index click here

EU regulations state that Euro-Citizens living in a Euro State other than their national State should be able to choose to vote either for an MEP standing in their National State or for one standing in their Resident State.

Huge numbers of British Citizens resident outside the UK will have no choice.  They can only choose an MEP candidate standing within the State where they live. This is because of the 15 year limit rule on voting  imposed by the UK Government,  In other words  the British Government is preventing the British citizens exercising their democrat right to choose the candidate they desire as their representative member in the Euro Parliament.

This is wrong! 

Stuck with this situation the British Citizen must choose MEPs from the local lists. (Some countries only elect on a list system).

Few will know who is who and what list is what. What are their policies?

To help the decision the following link will reveal the names of candidates and lists country by country. You click on the appropriate flag when the first page appears.

http://www.eutwentyfourteen.com/mep-candidates/

For the candidates in France (for les députés du Parlement européen) the subsequent link is as follows.  Other countries can be selected as above.

http://www.eutwentyfourteen.com/france

To learn more about the publicity coming from each candidate/list it is helpful to sign up to ‘yatterbox’, and to select ‘alerts’
- then one needs to think of a subject for the 'alert' - not easy! Try 'MEP' or 'European Parliament elections'.

http://yatterbox.com/yatter/   

Undoubtedly it will be very difficult to know which candidate  to choose on May 22^nd.
Most British Citizens beyond the UK will be quite at a loss with almost zero information at hand to help.

THE EU Presidency

There will be some televised debates concerning the election from the ‘lists’ of a President of the EU, notably on 15 May. This should be broadcast by the BBC and it is expected that most speakers will speak in English. There will a previous one on May 9^th.. The chairman will be English (Tony Barber of the Financial Times) but it is not clear how much is in English.

The following link helps to explain the above -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Parliament_election,_2014

Action you can take.... Copy the material above with a covering note of introduction to the Minister responsible for Parliamentary Reform [I would value a copy - to lefourquet@gmail.com ]
Greg Clark MP -- publiccorrespondence@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk
or to the Policy Support Officer  at the Cabinet Office (a civil servant who will forward your message)  --- Donna.Smith1@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

Voting in a French Village

 Voting for the local Council - Where Citizens are respected.

Posters for the two parties March 23rd 2014

A cold day for the end of March.  Snow fell to the south of us, towards the Pyrenees. It was five degrees at St. Romain.  My wife and I drove down to the polling station at 8.30 in the morning.  We were not the first,

But the welcome was warm.  The 'tellers' knew who we were for as English people we are well known. But we met friends and our neighbours there.  

We really felt warmed by the reception.  We felt as though we were truly part of the community.  We had something in common, the same cause for the benefit and progress of the place where we live.

One could choose one of two lists of candidates.  There was the Socialists - La Gauche.  and then the other which was more interesting.  That list was a coalition of  citizens who had come together to consider the problems of the town.  The was  no party affiliation amongst them.  They were brought together in a common cause. Citizens together.

When I asked if I could take a photo, the welcome was so warm.  

One may discern the numbers of voting envelopes already in the box so early in the morning, perhaps there were about twenty.

The system is different from in England. One votes for a List not for an individual. Each list has about twenty names of hopeful councilors. This is quite a large number but our town of Gourdon is quite large for rural France - perhaps about 5,000 voters in all.   St Romain is just one hamlet of the town. 

The two lists are printed on separate sheets of paper. You take one of the sheets and you place it in a special envelope.  This in then placed in the polling box, the lid of which is controlled by one of the tellers.

My reason for recounting all this is the contrast I feel for the voting and political representation  I have with my own National Government of the United Kingdom.  As an European citizen I can vote in France for the council of the local commune but for no other body.  I have no vote for any National Government.

The French wherever they live from Pole to Pole have representation in the National Assembly in Paris. All French citizens are valued  anywhere in the World. No so the British - no way - no how.  Although I cannot avoid a close association with Britain, culturally, socially and through my family connections, and financially, for all my income comes from Britain and I am still taxed there,  I cannot have any political representation at all with that Government, and this disconnect hurts me deeply.

The British Government has to be classed as one of the most non-democratic in Europe.  Isn't that sad?

Who needs the Vote most? - The Government? or The Voter?

 To go to the Index and Beginning click here

On Friday 31^st January 2014 in the House of Lords The EU Referendum Bill – died - but it is far from dead!    What does that mean for us?  Quite a lot!

Your help needed – see below.

Lord Lipsey,  the archetypal ‘we rule – you are ruled’ politician, tabled the motion that the House should  ‘resume’! This arcane procedure meant that the Committee stage of the House debating the Referendum Bill came to an abrupt end and so did the Bill itself!  It is all slightly strange to those unfamiliar with the way ‘our’ government proceeds.

The Bill had a gaping great hole in its construction so far as the Citizen Abroad who lives in other States of the EU are concerned.  Unless the British Citizen had left less than fifteen ago he/she could have no vote in the referendum.  So although their lives could be turned upside down following the possibility of an OUT vote created by the resident British population, they could have no democratic say in the laws and treaties which affect their future, and it seems that most other expatriates are blind to the consequences. We were not to be consulted because ‘they’ rule – n’est-ce pas!

It is frankly tragic that so few citizens abroad in the EU realise the dangerous cliff edge which was appearing in front of them.

But Citizens across the world are also affected, for what affects the Government’s attitude towards the British Citizen in the EU also affects them.

THIS BILL will return effectively in an unchanged form UNLESS the British Citizens abroad DEMAND change! Demand Representation! Demand the Vote! But ‘the rulers have ruled’ from time immemorial, but should this be their attitude?  Should there not be a dialogue?

If the Conservatives win at the next election, Mr. Cameron has made it quite clear that a new Referendum Bill would appear and would be forced through Parliament almost exactly in its present form.

It is my view that a Referendum might have one good outcome.  That is - as long as the result is ‘yes’!   It would lance the festering boil of contention over this issue in Britain, and ensure that Britain is where it should be as a leading nation in Europe. But surely ! any new Referendum Bill should not ignore the British Citizens in  the rest of Europe!  But it most certainly will unless we, the citizens abroad, put aside our distrust of all politicians and say in no uncertain voice - WE WANT TO BE REPRESENTED.   We need to be Represented. We count! We are British Citizens!

A number of members of the Lords spoke well in our interest on Friday. Among these were the Lords Shipley, Bowness, Baroness Quinn, Kerr of Kinlochard, Williams of Elvel,  and others.  I was interested to hear Lord Kinnock refer to the oft-repeated phrase ‘no taxation without representation’ . He was referring to the French residents in Britain but the same could be said of  so many Britons Abroad who by law have to pay tax to the UK! These are the politicians who think differently – their mind set is ‘We rule but we listen to the citizen’ .  “We rule by consent”  They may be unelected peers but quite a few listen to the citizens.

I am quite certain, from personal mails to me, that leading proponents of this Bill, are sympathetic to our cause, but the appalling apparent lack of interest by the expatriate citizen in the political scene, is ruining our position and if we do not stand up now and say WE WANT TO HAVE REPRESENTATION IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT then we might well not get it in our lifetime.

The reason why the Politicians are indifferent to us, is because most of us are indifferent towards them!  This must change.

Your help is needed.

We need to publicise in ten Bullet Points why the British Citizen Abroad needs to be represented in the British Parliament.

It is necessary that the needs of the citizen are heard.

BUT ALSO

It is necessary for good Government and the ongoing prestige of Britain that the citizen is consulted. It is in the interest of The Government that ‘we have the vote’!

Send me your thoughts - your list. Covering why the Government needs to represent us as well as why we need this representation.

The final list will be publicised through all the media outlets we can muster.

Now is the hour to stand! For the right to be heard, and the need to listen.

 lefourquet@gmail.com

Hansard report can be read here.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/140131-0002.htm

Begin at column 1532 for the amendment 57 on ‘Entitlement to vote in the Referendum’.

With good internet reception you can view the Parliament TV. Recoding at:--

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=14792.

Begin towards 2.15 p.m.

Profiles of the Lords who spoke can be read here.

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