The Conservatives have pledged to enfranchise all British expats, but only if they win the next general election in May.
The manifesto commitment means that the notorious 15-year rule would be scrapped which prevents many British expats from voting in British general elections, allowing them instead to vote for life.
“Millions of British citizens live and work across the globe. Many have worked hard, contributed to Britain all their lives, and have close family living in Britain," said a Conservative spokesman.
“Like many other countries, the UK continues to protect British citizens living abroad with its military, embassy network, and passport and other services. However, Britain currently restricts the rights of these citizens to vote in general elections.
“The last Labour government reduced the amount of time that British citizens living overseas were entitled to register to vote in UK general elections to just 15 years. That change has been the subject of concerted campaigning from expat groups and Conservatives Abroad, the network for Conservative supporters overseas.
“If the Conservative Party wins the next general election, we will remove this cap and extend it to a full right as a British citizen to vote in British elections for life.”
Grant Shapps, chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Being a British citizen is for life. It gives you the lifelong right to be protected by our military and Foreign Office, and to travel on a British passport. We believe it should also give you the lifelong right to vote."
Although the UK is not alone in disenfranchising its citizens, the Justice Commissioner at the EC said in January that Britain was “punishing” them for leaving the country by denying them the right to vote.
British WWII veteran Harry Shindler, 93, who has campaigned tirelessly, welcomed the news but siad the rules should be changed before the end of this Parliament, so expats can vote in the 2015 election.
Graham Richards of the Votes for Expat Brits online campaign – which has signed up 4,011 supporters from 72 different countries – said: “This is splendid and very welcome news for all the five million-plus Britons living abroad. It is a great shame that it cannot be introduced before the forthcoming general election."
