Written Evidence to the Committee for Political and Constitutional Reform
Here I will address the question
Why do so few
British Citizens Abroad register to Vote?
1. A blunt answer is because
they cannot see any point in so doing.
So --- “Why do they not see any point in so doing?”
Answer because they feel
that very few politicians take any interest in them.
2. Why do so few politicians take little interest in the
Citizen Abroad?
Answer - The MPs are based in UK Constituencies and
that is their prime concern. They cannot see why anyone living abroad would
have much interest or connection with that constituency. And they are right generally to take that
point of view.
3. The Citizens Abroad have
various reasons for being concerned with British lawmakers, or British politics
as it affects them and the British actions and influence in the World. In short the actions of the GOVERNMENT but
not politics at the local level.
Those with whom I communicate,
those over retirement age, receive often ALL
their income from Britain,
many are taxed by Britain,
all have exceedingly strong family and cultural ties to Britain.
Most are PROUD of being British .
They have needs and concerns
which spring from the very position of being British in another country. In the EU especially they see themselves as
NOT living in a foreign land but in a extension of Britain
into Europe.
There is in the EU a kind of nexus of nations, each with ties to another
place though rooted in a land which is not that of their birth. This ‘freedom of movement’ feeling is not
understood, it would seem, by the politicians in Whitehall. We see ourselves as Ambassadors of British
Culture though this appears to be a fact unappreciated by the British
politicians.
4. Thus there is a great sense of detachment from British Politics
because the British Politicians ignores us, is frightened of us as a potential threat
to their constituency, does not and cannot understand our feelings. The Citizen Abroad feels that there is no
point in voting for an MP who has no demonstrable interest in his
situation. We feel that we are perceived
by various politicians and the media as deserters leaving the land of our
birth.
5. The very existence
of the 15 year limit on voting is a HUGE
deterrent in itself to registering. If you know that the vote is going to be
taken away after 15 years, then why bother to register before? One feels the politicians don’t really want
you anyway.
6. One would like to see the
possibility of a dialogue with an MP to whom one can relate.
There ought to be channels of
communication on matters of international treaties. In the EU matters of social co-ordination are
most important, yet we get the impression that the elderly Citizens Abroad are
considered a nuisance, a drain on the
British economy. When treaties are
considered, what British civil servant or politician has the knowledge to speak up for the impact
on the British Citizen resident in the other country? There appears to be no-one who can speak for
us.
7. The system whereby Citizens Abroad can only relate to the MP of
their last constituency in the UK,
results in a diluted conveyance of their thoughts and concerns so that nothing
is concentrated in one representation.
Conclusion
1. Remove the 15 year limit. That
will inspire some confidence!
Then at some little time later –
hopefully not too long -
2. Establish MPs for the Citizen
Abroad in a manner similar to France.
