There was quite a cheer in our offices earlier this week when the petition to parliament calling for all expats to be given the vote in the forthcoming European Union referendum in Britain passed the 10,000 mark. Ten thousand expats across Europe had signed the petition in about the space of a week. Now, under British law, as soon as the petition reaches the 10,000 signatures the British government must respond. But four days after reaching the milestone and the British government have said nothing. Not a word. Now, we all know what the government is going to say but at the same time it would have been rather nice if they had said it sooner rather than later after all the hard work involved in raising the 10,000 signatures. The Cameron government will say that they are opposed to the present voting regulations, which means that only Britons who have lived outside the United Kingdom for fewer than 15 years can vote. They will insist that they want to change the law so that expats get the vote for life but there is not enough time before the referendum in June. And of course they are right. The petition has clearly underlined the fact that expats do want to vote and they are angry that their view on Europe will not be taken into account in June. The British government must act to give British citizens living abroad a better deal. The French have various members of parliament who was are responsible for French expats. Not a bad idea.
Giving expats the vote
04/03/2016 00:00
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Keith, I'm sorry if you feel you have been made unwelcome. That certainly wasn't my intention as I said that discussion and argument are encouraged and thanked you for your continuing input. But so be it. Ann, the King Richard story was covered in the paper version.
I've obviously missed something. I think Jason does a good job but maybe I've missed it but has the King Richard story been in the Bulletin. L read the Ultima Hora on line and it has coverage there and also in the British press.
Ok you have won . I will no longer be reading or replying to comments on here as you have made it so obvious I am not welcome on here . since the 7-10-1999 I have read this paper and I think it is time to stop . all I hope is I hope it doesn't send the wrong message out to people that if they try to be honest you will get picked on and worse . adios
Lets take Ron first .if you have anything to say , say it ( but personal digs are not enjoyed by anyone. (I could say more, but I don't care to name or offend anyone ) . name and shame . next Andrew .And what do you mean by that statement ? ( though they might be construed as being somewhat personal ) were have I been impersonal ? Jason is the editor of this news paper which I have read for numerous years and if he cant take constructive criticism he should not be in that position . As for Sean , luv him to bits lol
Well said Andrew! I don't agree either with criticising Jason. You all do a great job at MDB and I for one appreciate reading the reports and the freedom to contribute. I don't always agree with the editorial, but personal digs are not enjoyed by anyone. I could say more, but I don't care to name or offend anyone. Keep up the good work Jason, Humphrey and Andrew.
Gentlemen, as supervisor of this site, if I may be allowed ... Sean, I do not see anything defamatory in Keith's remarks, though they might be construed as being somewhat personal. Discussion and argument are encouraged, and I thank both of you for your continuing input. Above all, though, can we keep things as respectful as possible without impinging on this website being a forum for airing valid differences of opinion. Thank you.
sean . defamation and libel are very strong accusations .I have been reading this paper for 16 years and to comment on a comments page is natural . I comment on Jason moores editorial because sometimes I agree and sometimes I dont . its called freedom of speech . like steve p says forces have no choice were they are sent . if you disagree with anything I have to say just do what I do , give it a thumbs down like everybody else does . if I have said anything wrong then let Jason stick up for himself . I don't think threatening people with defamation and liability writs is the way to encourage people to join in valid discussion .
Sean. The difference between the service personnel and expats voting rights is, Forces had no choice about being abroad. Expats do. Servicemen/women will also vote in the referendum, whether in the UK or Falklands, Cyprus, USA, or any other place they are based. Sorry but if someone has been resident in a country for over 15 years, they should be classed as natives of that country.
Yes,Keith,I do know that that defamation is spoken and libel is written and that I spelled defamation wrong but you can't edit the comments once sent and you realise that you got something wrong.
My other reply to your comment about Jason Moore is that 10.000 signatures on a petition is not bad,what does the fact that there are millions of expats have to do with Jason Moore,Majorca or the Majorca Daily Bulletin.? The Majorca Daily Bulletin only represents Majorca and the Balearics and only sought to obtain signatures from the readers of the Daily Bulletin,which they did successfully given the numbers of expats in Majorca and the Balearics so they had every right to cheer. What do you mean by ''pretend to speak for'' that is diffamation of someone you don't know,both the Majorca Daily Bulletin and Jason Moore frequently highlight the problems of Majorca,you clearly don't read it much,if at all.