Lifetime vote for Britons overseas now 鈥榲ery likely鈥�
Britons who have moved abroad are expected to obtain a lifetime right to vote in UK parliamentary elections after a new bill was announced
Britons would no longer be cut off from voting after 15 years abroad
Nataliia Zhekova / Shutterstock
Britons able to vote in UK parliamentary elections 鈥� and in polls such as referendums - was promised in May鈥檚 Queen鈥檚 Speech, and the UK set aside 拢2.5million in the March Budget to implement the change, a Conservative Party manifesto pledge.
Britons would no longer be cut off from voting after 15 years abroad. Most western democracies offer a vote for life.
Campaigner Harry Shindler, from Italy, welcomed the news, saying he hopes it will be fast-tracked before he is 100 in July.
Mr Shindler, who says he is the Labour Party鈥檚 longest-standing member, called on members to lobby their MPs against his party鈥檚 continuing opposition to the plan, saying it is not in its traditional spirit of seeking wider rights.
He said: 鈥淲e hope there will be no snags between now and polling day, when we shall be part of the British nation once again and will go and vote.鈥�
Related stories
Britons shocked by post-Brexit difficulties, says ex-ambassador
New start in Franco-British relations needed, says region president
