Action needed! The 15 year time limit restriction on voting for expatriates is a huge deterrent in getting people to register to vote. The fact that very few expats register to vote is a huge deterrent to politicians to pass a bill removing the limit - A classic chicken and egg situation.
Yet it costs nothing in labour, commitment, money to remove it – why is it not done? It is important that you take action – see below.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds is tabling a 10-minute Bill with the above objective on Tuesday December 2nd 2.45 p.m. House of Commons. The Bill will be sponsored by a number of members including Sir Roger Gale.
Also on Monday December 1st (room W1 House of Commons) there will be a press conference attended by Harry Shindler MBE, who is expected to speak.
The House is normally fairly well attended on a Tuesday but we must try to assure that as many MPs as possible are there.
It would be a highly significant milestone if this presentation were to result in a change of law but it is also a necessary step in testing the opinion of MPs from all the major parties.
TAKE ACTION please to ensure a good attendance of MPs.
1. Select email addresses of your ex-constituency MP from here http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/
2. Send this message to him/her/them.
On Tuesday December 2nd Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds is tabling a 10-minute Bill with the above objective on Tuesday December 2nd 2.30 p.m. House of Commons. He will be supported by Sir Roger Gale and others.
Please attend the House and support the removal of the 15 year limit on voting by British Citizens Abroad. This limit is a massive deterrent to registration to vote.
The removal will send a message of goodwill to the citizens abroad from the UK Parliament – and reassure the citizens abroad that they are valued.
Take action 2. Persuade Friends and Relatives in the UK to send this to their MPs.
The ten-minute rule Bills are one of the ways in which backbench MPs (private Members) can introduce legislation. However, the process is used more as a means of making a point on the need to change the law on a particular subject as there is little parliamentary time available. They mainly provide the opportunity for MPs to test Parliament's opinion on a particular subject.
The ten minute rule allows a brief introductory speech of no more than ten minutes, and one of the same length opposing the motion, to be made in the House of Commons after question time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the House is likely to be full. Not all Ten Minute Rule Bills are printed.
Now click on https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and register to vote.
W: www.votes-for-expat-brits.com | www.votes-for-expat-brits-blog.com
