A Conservative MP said that a million Brits overseas have been unfairly denied the chance to participate in the EU referendum.
Christopher Chope said that although it is too late to change the rules in time to meet the referendum on 23 June, it is crucial for citizens abroad to get full electoral rights restored as soon as possible.
In order to press the Government over its unfulfilled promised to restore voting rights, he has launched a Private Members' Bill to highlight the issue in the Commons on Friday.
“This is an opportunity to keep the pressure on the Government and try to find out what’s going on” he said. “What’s important is principle and fairness; we need to have a proper franchise.”
His Overseas Voters Bill says: “There shall be no restriction placed upon the eligibility of a British citizen resident overseas to register to vote or vote in UK Parliamentary elections based solely upon the length of time that such voter has been resident overseas.”
His bill also calls for British citizens overseas who are on the electoral register – currently numbering around 106,000 – to be able to vote online.
After David Cameron pledged in September 2014 to abolish the 15-year rule, a Votes for Life Bill was part of the Queen’s Speech last May but has not been tabled in Parliament.
Therefore, no expat who has been away from the UK for more than 15 years will be able to vote in the referendum on the EU.
Even for those who were entitled to vote in the May 2015 general election, many found that their postal ballots were received too late after returning officers sent them with UK postage, insufficient for international receipt.
The Conservative MP for Christchurch in Dorset said his bill is not likely to make any change to the law.
"I’m sure this is a disappointment for UK citizens – this is one of the biggest decisions the UK electorate has had for generations... there’s nothing they can do, it’s extremely sad.”
