voting from abroad – bovf.org.uk

Early Day Motion British citizens' right to a family life with spouses in the UK

Parliamentary Motion Supporting Family Reunification for British Citizens

The British Overseas Voters Forum (BOVF) has made encouraging progress in supporting the tabling of an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament that supports the right of British citizens to live in the United Kingdom with their non-UK spouses. For many Britons living overseas, returning home with a husband or wife remains unnecessarily difficult, expensive, and

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Representation of the People Bill: Overseas Voters

The British Overseas Voters Forum (BOVF) has made encouraging progress in bringing the issue of overseas voting to the forefront of parliamentary debate. During the Committee Stage of the Representation of the People Bill 2026, amendments reflecting BOVF proposals were formally debated in the UK Parliament. Key Proposals Presented The proposals discussed during the committee proceedings

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Report + Proposals: Voting Reforms for Overseas Citizens

BOVF have published “Recommendations for the United Kingdom to enable voters living overseas to fully and properly participate in national elections with reference to practices adopted in 20 major and relevant countries” Download the report SUMMARY The systems that UK Citizens overseas rely on to vote are ranked close to bottom in the world. The

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Martin Wrigley MP – Representation of the People Bill

BOVF is very thankful to Martin Wrigley, Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, who will in due course propose and additional clause to the recently published Representation of the People Bill that he wrote, that covers the 3 main requests from BOVF. Martin Wrigley MP with BOVF Chair Bruce Darrington and Treasurer Craig Dickson meeting

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Joe Powell MP – Actively Supporting Overseas Voters

BOVF is very thankful to Joe Powell, Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater who has been actively promoting the need for important reforms in the area of overseas voting systems among colleagues in Parliament, by meeting with the Electoral Commission and by setting up a meeting with the Minister handling the Representation of the People

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BOVF attend Party Conferences

BOVF attend the Labour and Conservative party conferences At the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, BOVF Chair Bruce Darrington met with Joe Powell MP (Kensington & Bayswater). Having lived in the USA for nine years before entering Parliament, Joe has been a strong supporter of overseas voters and continues to back our work to ensure

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BOVF Policy Leads meet James MacCleary MP (Lewes)

BOVF Policy Lead for Spousal Visa’s John Cantrill and Trustee Mike Tuffrey met the MP for Lewes James MacCleary to discuss Overseas Voters and highlight the challenges they face This was a constructive and positive meeting where we discussed the various issues faced by overseas voters, and specific challenges faced by some of James MacCleary’s

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BOVF Chair and Treasurer meet with Martin Wrigley MP (Newton Abbot)

BOVF Chair, Bruce Darrington and Treasurer, Craig Dickson met with the MP for Newton Abbot, Martin Wrigley Martin Wrigley has first hand experience of being a British Citizen Overseas, having grown up in different countries as his father was in the Navy. He also has immediate family living overseas. This formed the basis for a

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BOVF events in Jakarta and Bali

BOVF in collaboration with BritCham Indonesia host events in Jakarta and Bali. Taking place on the 22nd and 24th October, BOVF Chair (Bruce Darrington) discussed “British Citizens Overseas: Using the power of our vote”. This in person event enabled participants to learn how to make their voice heard in UK politics and advocate for key

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BOVF attend Party Conferences

BOVF attend Party Conferences Read More »