The BREXIT, the VOTE and you.

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I was sent a copy of an article in the September edition of The Central Brittany Journal (www.thecbj.com) by James Bell – “So what happens if Britain leaves the EU?”

After the Corbyn election as leader of the Labour Party, and the migrant crisis which is seriously affecting sentiment in the UK, the verdict in the Referendum becomes yet more problematic. The pendulum of the decision is swinging violently.

A large number of British Citizens in Europe (i.e. the EU) and elsewhere close their brains, and do not want to think about it.  Yet the tendrils of the British State affect all British Citizens – the so-called expats wherever they live.  I dislike the word ‘expat’. It is too often misspelled expatriot which indicates a rejection of links with one’s homeland. The word expatriate simply indicates that one lives outside of the borders of the homeland. 

But few of us would be living in France if it were not for the treaties signed between the UK and the EU.  James Bell observes that there are as many French living in SE England as Brits living in France. A ‘Brexit’ would affect both. The French in the UK are financially dependent on the UK, being young and active. But the Brits in France include a large contingent of pensioners (>63,000) also financially dependent on the UK.  We expect the British Government to ‘act in our name and in our interest’ when treaties and laws are framed.  How the hell can they do that when there is no adequate representation of our interests in the Westminster parliament?

If you do write to an MP they generally pass your message to some Department which replies with a garbage repetition of policy which gets sent back to you.  It is impossible to change policy unless some dedicated politician has YOUR interest at heart. Most care not a fig.

By default, the Westminster politicians, in effect directed by the Whitehall bureaucrats act as they see it – ‘in the interest of the Nation!’  What, one asks! is this Nation?  Is it the rivers, the hills, the towns and villages? Or is it the people, the men women and children who have an affinity with the State of Britain – The British People – wherever they live. Those of British nationality.

The affair of the Winter Fuel Payment is just one example of how the bureaucracy has become twisted to not care for the British citizen, but for the British treasury.  Balancing the books is essential, but it must be achieved in the fairest manner without discrimination.  The State pension affair is a further deplorable instance, where it is frozen for those who desire to live with their children in Australia and could well be frozen for us in Europe if the Brexit should arise [Corbyn is against the freezing!].  Health support is part of the treaties for the British pensioner in France and other EU countries. [see EU regulation 883/2004 on social security].  That could collapse. 

If Brexit came about, we would be foreigners in Europe and no longer EU citizens.  That could open ways for the French State to invent other impositions – An uncertain world would lie before us.

That is why we need Representation at Westminster.  For many of us who have lived outside the UK for more than 15 years we have not a chance of getting our voice heard.  For those who left the UK more recently you can vote.

The VOTE is not full ‘representation’. For that a reform of parliament is necessary. The total number of MPs need to be reduced, but in that re-organisation some space must be found for a few MPs who understand the life of the citizens abroad in the same manner as have the French and the Italians. They, who are resident in England, all have political representation in Paris or Rome!

But for now – our voice, such as it is, must be heard loud and clear in London.  We must vote to stay in the EU.  There are amongst us turkeys who would vote for the Christmas carve up.  But the younger as well as the older citizens will suffer uncertain times if the UK leaves the EU.

Mr. Cameron has promised us the VOTE-for-LIFE this session.  We still await that Bill to be tabled for debate. There are MPs who will say that we do not need it, do not want it, and that it is ‘inappropriate’.  We certainly need it.  We need it as a first step to full representation.

If you register to vote NOW, you will have a vote to stay in the EU. You will also be able to vote in the next general election.  You may get the right to challenge any position of the Government. 

There are those who say ‘I do not want to vote for a UK MP, I want to vote for a French député’.  That is a strong argument.  But why does it have to be an either/or choice?  Whilst you remain British the tendrils of the British bureaucracy stretch towards you.  You need to have a say in any treaty obligation that affects you. You need the chance to express your views to Government about anything that affects you as a British Citizen beyond the shores of the UK.

To claim your right to vote go to this link. It takes 5 minutes to complete it.

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

And when you have an MP – keep him/her occupied and argue with them by mail.

You could send them this item.
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

The Winter Fuel payment - What one must do now.

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Mr Frank Field MP DL, Chairman of the Select Committee for Work and Pensions  has replied to me, and he says.....

The Committee has no plans, at present, to investigate the specific matter you raise but I am always open to suggestions from colleagues. Might I suggest, therefore, that any friends or relatives of yours living in the UK should ask their local MP to take up this matter in the House?

This seems encouraging – it is then absolutely necessary to persuade individual MPs to write to Mr. Field, and through him to the Select Committee, requesting the Committee to include in their investigations the issue of the unnecessary hardship to be caused by the selective withdrawal of the WFP in September.  Encourage Friends and Relatives resident in the UK to do so also, for the sake of those less fortunate than yourselves, and in the cause of fairness and honesty.

Suggested wording of a letter to your MP:

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

To   XXXXX  MP.

Subject – WINTER FUEL PAYMENT.

Dear ------------------   I, as a constituent,  request that you write to Frank Field MP, Chairman of the Select Committee for Work & Pensions, on the basis of the following information:

From this September under the Statutory Instrument 3270 of  2014 introduced by Iain Duncan Smith as Secretary of State for the DWP, this benefit [WFP] is to be withdrawn from elderly British Citizens in 6 countries and one British dependency in the EU (below referred as 7 'countries').

The DWP is claiming that the withdrawal is justified by invoking a temperature check on these 7 'countries', in comparison with SW England but:

* There are many elderly British Citizens living in these 7 'countries' who are in need of the WFP.  Visit www.lefourquet.net/Hardup-dossier.doc  to read of some 17 of these citizens. It is apparent that they are discriminated against by the operation of SI 3270.

* 35 MPs signed the EDM 695 last year ‘praying’ that the SI 3270 be annulled. (11-Con- 12 Lab – 8 LD – 2 SNP – 1 Gr – 1 Ind.)

* There is evidence that these temperature checks have been falsely calculated, for example they include in the case of France, temperatures of Caribbean and Indian Ocean territories which are French possessions, but are not France. 

* It is further clear that the fact that winter temperatures in many districts of France and even Spain fall well below those in SW England.- Spain, Cyprus, Portugal (Estrela) and of course France. e.g. all have tourist ski resorts.

* Furthermore, winter temperatures in these countries all fall below that which require home heating to maintain health.

In addition, this is contrary to  EU Regulation 883/2004  ---- Article 7 which states:

Waiving of residence rules:

Unless otherwise provided for by this Regulation, cash benefits payable under the legislation of one or more Member States or under this Regulation shall not be subject to any reduction, amendment, suspension, withdrawal or confiscation on account of the fact that the beneficiary or the members of his family reside in a Member State other than that in which the institution responsible for providing benefits is situated.

Could you please write to Frank Field MP DL ..  within Parliament  requesting that the Select Committee for Work & Pensions considers in their investigations,  the hardship to be caused by selective withdrawal of the WFP from certain British pensioners resident within the EU in September.

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

Please copy all the above between the lines of  ******* and send to your  MP.   You may of course add any extra material relating to yourself or your family and friends affected by this matter.

And as Frank Field MP suggests, encourage all your friends and relatives in the UK to do likewise.

 Find email and other addresses of MPs  here .... http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

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

British Pensioners - Emigration.

EMIGRATION of British STATE PENSIONERS

The figures for August 2014 have just been published..

http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/cccountry/cnage/a_carate_r_cccountry_c_cnage_aug14.html

The table condenses the movement of the last three years. The  countries with a * do not have the UK pensions frozen.  A blue background indicates members of the EU. 

Further on is a graph of the movement towards EU countries.

The table is ‘sorted’ in order of the countries which have received the greatest number of immigrants down to the most withdrawal.  Note that Ireland has had the greatest number of recipients. In Ireland of course English is spoken – they can vote for the Irish Government and in effect can easily be assimilated. 

France and New Zealand come next  .  Although the UK pension  is frozen in NZ, the NZ Government awards a Social Security support and accepts the UK N.I. history as a basis for such payments.  

 

The fall in the number receiving the British Pension in Australia and Canada (and S.Africa.?) must be in part due to the Frozen Pension condition.  The small increase in India may have something to do with the rapidly increasing standard of living there and the affluence of returning Indians from the UK?   Jamaica on the other hand is a poor country?

 Click on the image to enlarge and 'esc' to return.

General Election 2015 - Brit expat stands at Uxbridge & S.Ruislip.

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.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/all-about/uxbridge

Online Editor- Amy De-Keyzer
Email: amy.de-keyzer@trinitymirror.com
Telephone: 01483 508904

News Editor- Steve Bax
Email: steve.bax@trinitymirror.com
Telephone: 01483 508774 / 07909 532436

Mr. Jackson’s contact telephone number is 0033 (0) 468 478537.