Why Brits should vote
Why Brits overseas should have the right & ability to exercise their vote
The right to vote:
British Citizenship Carries Rights and Responsibilities
British citizens living abroad should retain the right to vote because citizenship inherently comes with a set of rights and responsibilities, regardless of geographical location. The right to vote, as enshrined in the Representation of the People Act 1985, allows British citizens to participate in the democratic process, ensuring their voices are heard on issues that affect them, both domestically and internationally.
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IIt was a long standing rule that those who moved abroad could continue to vote for a period of time until the right was revoked (prior to 2022, this period was 15-years). Most recently with the Election Act 2022, British citizens abroad who have previously lived in the UK have been given the ‘Vote for Life’.
Many British citizens living overseas still contribute to the UK economy through taxes, such as property taxes, capital gains taxes, and other financial obligations. This concept is strongly tied to the historic principle of “no taxation without representation,” which argues that individuals who are taxed by a government should have a say in how that government is run. Denying long-term expatriates the right to vote overlooks the continued financial contributions and personal ties they maintain to the UK, and can be seen as disenfranchisement of these individuals.
The policies of the UK government continue to affect British citizens living abroad, particularly in matters such as pensions, healthcare, and voting rights. The “frozen pensions” issue, which affects hundreds of thousands of British retirees in countries without reciprocal agreements, is a prime example of how UK policies directly impact expatriates. Giving British citizens abroad the right to vote ensures they can hold the government accountable for decisions that affect their financial security and well-being, making voting a crucial avenue for expatriates to influence policies that directly affect their lives.
Many other democracies around the world, such as France, Italy, and the United States, provide their expatriates with voting rights, often through overseas constituencies that specifically represent citizens living abroad. The UK, with its large global diaspora of over 5 million British citizens, lags behind these countries in ensuring political representation for its expatriates. Expanding voting rights for British citizens abroad not only aligns with international democratic norms but also strengthens the UK’s commitment to democratic participation and global influence.
Expanding the voting rights of British citizens abroad strengthens the UK’s democracy by ensuring that all citizens, regardless of where they live, have a voice in national matters. Democracy thrives on participation, and by encouraging greater involvement from expatriates, the UK ensures a more inclusive and representative political system. Legislative efforts, such as the proposed “Votes for Life” bill, which seeks to abolish the 15-year limit, are crucial steps toward ensuring that British citizens abroad remain politically engaged, fostering a stronger, more connected global British community.
The ability to vote:
The existing postal voting system for British citizens abroad is fraught with inefficiencies, often leading to disenfranchisement. One of the key issues is the reliance on foreign postal systems, which can be slow or unreliable. In many cases, overseas ballots are sent out too late, and voters find themselves unable to return them in time for their votes to be counted. For example, in the 2019 UK general election, many overseas voters reported that their ballots arrived after the voting deadline, rendering their vote meaningless. A better voting system is essential to ensure that British citizens abroad can participate fully in UK elections.
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One of the most novel and effective solutions to this issue would be to implement an online voting system for British citizens living abroad. Many countries, such as Estonia, already use secure online voting systems with great success. Online voting offers an accessible and speedy alternative to postal voting, allowing expatriates to cast their vote from anywhere in the world without the delays of international mail. Moreover, online systems can include safeguards such as two-factor authentication and encryption to ensure that votes are securely cast and counted. Implementing online voting would not only solve logistical issues but also encourage more expatriates to participate in UK elections, strengthening democratic engagement.
Another approach to solving the postal voting issue is to allow British citizens to vote in person at embassies and consulates. Many countries already provide this option for their citizens living abroad. For instance, France uses embassies and consulates as polling stations for their overseas voters, enabling a secure and reliable way for expatriates to vote in national elections. British embassies and consulates are already located in most major cities worldwide, making this a viable option for many British citizens. By leveraging these diplomatic outposts, the UK could ensure that its expatriates have a convenient and secure way to vote.
Technology could play a key role in ensuring the security and reliability of votes cast by British citizens abroad. Alongside online voting, secure voting apps or blockchain technology could be used to ensure transparency and tamper-proof results. Countries like Switzerland have explored the use of blockchain for secure voting, which could provide an extra layer of trust for expatriates concerned about the security of online voting systems. Additionally, biometric verification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, could be used to ensure that each vote is cast by the registered voter, reducing the risk of fraud.
Ultimately, modernizing the voting system for British citizens abroad would greatly increase democratic participation. With an estimated 5 million British citizens living overseas, many of whom are currently excluded due to the inadequacies of postal voting, introducing alternatives such as online voting or embassy-based polling stations would enfranchise a significant portion of the electorate. By making voting easier and more secure, the UK would ensure that its global citizenry remains engaged in national decision-making, strengthening the democratic process and fostering greater trust in the system. Embracing modern, secure voting methods would signal a commitment to inclusive democracy and ensure that all British citizens, no matter where they live, can have their voices heard.