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AIBU?

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Original poster

everyone living in the UK should get to vote on EU ref

165 replies

agentEgypt · 25/05/2015 08:13

Just heard on the radio that EU migrants won't be allowed to vote. This seems very unfair as many could have been here and laying tax for decades!

OP posts:
PtolemysNeedle · 25/05/2015 08:18

They can apply for citizenship if they want to, so I disagree. What about the ones that move here a month before the referendum and haven't been working or paying tax here for decades?

DinosaursRoar · 25/05/2015 08:27

Nope, I don't think non-uk citizens should get a say in if the uk stays in the EU or not. It's the right decision. (And I think we should stay in)

Rebecca2014 · 25/05/2015 08:36

Why should they? They are not British citizens. A fair referendum is what is needed.

HagOtheNorth · 25/05/2015 08:37

It's a vote that should only involve the citizens of the country concerned.

EldonAve · 25/05/2015 08:37

I think it's fair. They don't get to vote in the general election either

PrettyInPinkPan · 25/05/2015 08:38

Nope OP, and

  1. Anyone else amused by the NN combo of Ptolemy and Egypt?
  2. OP you ARE a busy bee, commencing all of these 'controversial', generalised threads...
Alisvolatpropiis · 25/05/2015 08:40

Er why should non-citizens be allowed to vote?

Yes they may have been here for years but unless they have taken citizenship then no, they shouldn't be allowed to vote. No other EU country allows it either.

ollieplimsoles · 25/05/2015 08:41

I don't see why they should get to vote on this either Hmm

ilovesooty · 25/05/2015 08:42

Would you like people who are economically inactive but who are British citizens barred from voting OP? Hmm

RedToothBrush · 25/05/2015 08:45

Scotland...

If you children go to school here. You pay tax here. You have a job here. You own a house here.

You should be allowed to vote as it affects YOUR FUTURE.

Saying well 'you could take citizenship' is bollocks as at this point there is no guarantee you would be allowed to stay.

Sorry but this is all about racism. STILL.

Skiptonlass · 25/05/2015 08:46

No, this is quite standard across Europe.

I live in Sweden and as I pay tax here I can vote in the local elections, but until I'm a citizen I can't vote in the national elections. I retain my vote in the British elections, so I am represented.

ThePinkOcelot · 25/05/2015 08:48

No, I don't think they should be allowed to vote at all! And here we go, the racism card!!

RedToothBrush · 25/05/2015 08:49

AND if its so important, WHY exceptions for Malta, Ireland and Gibraltar...

oh. yeah. because.

AnyRailway · 25/05/2015 08:49

I can see that it might skew the vote if EU migrants were allowed to take part.

All the hardworking immigrants who have built new lives for their families here are not going to vote to be sent back home, surely.

PrettyInPinkPan · 25/05/2015 08:50

Possibly people who intend to vote 'leave' shouldn't be allowed to vote.

Alisvolatpropiis · 25/05/2015 08:54

RedTooth

No it isn't,don't be so incredibly ridiculous.

Name another EU country which allows non-citizens to vote in general elections or referendums. Non-citizens in the UK can vote in local elections here and still retain their right to vote in their home country.

Alisvolatpropiis · 25/05/2015 08:55

Also, the whole point of taking citizenship is that you can stay indefinitely...Hmm

RedToothBrush · 25/05/2015 08:57

Will prisoners be allowed to vote?

You know non-productive people who the Conservatives want to loose the vote but can't because of the EU.

If you pay tax you are contributing. We don't really want people to apply for citizenship as that means they will stay here in old age. Its GOOD for us for people to go back to Europe.

Will people living abroad be allowed to vote? Perhaps they shouldn't either as they aren't contributing to the economy but yet may be eligible for benefits...

Skiptonlass · 25/05/2015 08:58

Red tooth. So are the swedes being racist by not allowing me to vote for the riksdag?

No, they are just doing what every other country in Europe does. Until I'm a Swedish citizen, I don't get to vote in the national elections.

SolomanDaisy · 25/05/2015 08:59

The good news is that to do that, the government have had to confirm that the millions of UK citizens living elsewhere in Europe will be able to vote. Which should provide a massive swing towards In.

Mistigri · 25/05/2015 09:01

I think that people who are permanently settled in the UK probably should get a vote (and there are pretty standard definitions of what permanently settled means in the EU - ie if you've been legally resident for at least 5 years).

I most likely won't get a vote, despite being a UK citizen, as I'm not on the electoral register (been exercising my right of free labour movement in the EU for too long). I would strongly support people with a biggest stake in the decision getting a vote, but we probably won't.

RedToothBrush · 25/05/2015 09:01

If you pay tax you take part.

Its fair.

This referendum is going to be god awful and people are going to say the worse most disgusting things and think its ok to do so.

Skiptonlass · 25/05/2015 09:01

I'm also not eligible for any UK benefits any more. If I go home I technically need my E111 to use the NHS.

SweetAndFullOfGrace · 25/05/2015 09:03

EU migrants who aren't citizens can't vote in general elections either. Commonwealth citizens can though.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 25/05/2015 09:03

But its not a national election, its a referendum to decide whether all these EU citizens are going to get kicked out of the UK. Some of these people have been here for years, pay taxes, have families here and yet they don't get to vote on something that will impact them more than most? Everyone living in the UK should be given a vote.