22/02/2016 00:00
TW
2

Join the Bulletin campaign to have our say on the European referendum. Everyone should be able to vote not just those who have lived outside Britain for under 15 years.

Petition: Extend Eu referendum voting rights to all UK citizens living abroad.

The EU referendum is not open to UK citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years. I believe that voting is a fundamental right of any citizens within a democratic society, including those outside of the country. Please help give a political voice to UK expats directly affected by this vote.

As a person who moved abroad as a minor, due to my parents choice, I find it unjust that I am unable to vote within the UK; the only country of which I have citizenship. I can't voice my political opinion in any country - despite having assets and family both in the UK and abroad. Currently, the UK is one of only two EU countries that disenfranchises their own citizens from voting while resident in another EU member state, the other being the Republic of Ireland. I call upon parliament to eliminate the exclusion from political culture faced by UK expats regarding the EU referendum.

1. Disenfranchisement of EU citizens resident abroad situation in national and European elections in EU Member States : in-depth analysis. Brussels: European Parliament, 2014.