TEN REASONS FOR AN EXPAT VOTE
All Britons abroad should have the right to Representation in the British Parliament.
Equal rights - The Government of Britain speaks
for all British Citizens. Treaties which affect Britons abroad are signed IN THEIR NAME! The consequences impinge on their lives, often directly, but always by inference.
eXpatriates to be supported and confirmed as British citizens, i.e. passport holder, tax payer, NI contributor etc, and guaranteeing the rights
of freedom of movement in the EU without discrimination.
Provide "constituency style" support to British citizens abroad who have problems, grievances etc, particularly
relating to relationships between the citizen and the UK government.
Arealisation thatthe majority of British citizens abroad still have
strong ties with the 'mother country'. Children, grandchildren, Parents and other relatives, social security payments, a work history, former work colleagues and friends, ownership of property, investments, pension entitlements:- the list
is endless.
The Democratic Principle -- that constant vigilance supports freedom. The concepts of ‘citizenship’ mean a binding relationship between the governing body and the people? –
N.B.Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states ‘nationality is the legal bond between a person and
a State’.
Vaunted‘Military Covenant’ implies that a relationship of support continues between the Government and the retired service people for
life. They should have the democratic Right of Representation for life and their needs wherever they choose to live in retirement respected.
Overseas - Business-grounded British Citizens in the EU (let alone elsewhere) are most important for the EU and the UK. They should have unhindered rights to vote. It is time
for UK to discard antiquated political views and for UK politicians to look to the future of Europe and impress the rest of the European Nations by supporting and encouraging their UK/EU citizens.
The British abroad, in particular the elderly, are more likely to take an interest in what is happening in their own country, particularly where it impacts on their life and the lives of their loved ones.
It is in the interest of any political party to build on this.
Example – The UK Government surely wishes to show itself as a leader amongst the Nations. It would do well to demonstrate this quality amongst the Nations of Europe by allowing the citizens the full rights of citizenship.
Simply put
-Consciously or unconsciously all British Citizens abroad are ambassadors of the British Nation. It is wise for the Government to foster this sense of
Britishness and not to destroy it.
Brian Cave (with thanks to Denis Turner) lefourquet@gmail.com