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

[agentEgypt]

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!

[LotusLight]

I want us to stay in albeit with a few changes.
I think this issue of who can vote could get mired in litigation - always great news for lawyers like I am of course, bring it on....

one of the biggest benefits of being in is never mentioned. Until we had the EU we slaughtered each other in Europe every few decades. Since we joined we have largely had peace in Europe. That is terribly important.

[ThatWasMyFavouriteDressNow]

Exactly - fredfredgeorgejnr - the Common Travel Area agreement could be stopped at anytime by either UK or Ireland, but I can't see that happening at all. It may make things more difficult if UK left EU but the CTA would not end, it is seperate from EU freedom of movement.

[ThatWasMyFavouriteDressNow]

I will vote 'in' but I do agree with this - I find it frankly pretty fucking rude that people are making these wild generalisations about Eurosceptics being easily-lead, tabloid-reading racist knuckleheads

[Andrewofgg]

There is a similar CTA in Scandinavia although Norway is not in the EU.

I voted Out in 1975 but I will vote In this time. We missed our chance then, and are too closely linked in to leave now.

[ThatWasMyFavouriteDressNow]

There is a similar CTA in Scandinavia although Norway is not in the EU.
Exactly. If it causes problems, they cope with them. Irish/UK citizens shouldn't worry that our CTA will end in my opinion.

If however either country had a referendum to end it who should be able to vote for it? Just citizens of that country or also citizens of the other country that live there?

Interesting.

[keepitsimple0]

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

Ireland and Britain have a special relationship.

Gibraltar has 10 people and uses a pound. Also special.

Malta is in the commonwealth.

All commonwealth citizens can vote in general elections, which is a bit weird.

[hedgehogsdontbite]

No, it's our business. If I lived in the EU outside the UK I would not vote even if I was allowed to.

Even if it directly affected you? We live in the EU outside of the UK as a direct result of my husband's role within the EU. His job is dependent on being an EU citizen. Withdrawal from the EU would mean we'd lose our income, our home, our community. It's our business too.

[funambulist]

I feel like so many things about the referendum are still unclear. I guess some of them will become clearer as the referendum date approaches, but it seems that people are already making up their minds how to vote.

So, with apologies for my ignorance, does anyone know answers to the following:

If we exit will we all need new passports or will we be able to continue to use our EU ones for a while?

For those who are technically able to obtain an EU passport for another EU nation how popular will this be? My OH is born in the UK to a British mother and father from another EU country. He travels a lot with work and is already thinking that it might make sense to apply for a different passport via his father's nationality.

Many of my friends live, work and are bringing up children in the UK but are originally from other EU countries. If the UK exits what happens to them? Do they have the right to stay and work here?

[silveroldie2]

DuchessDisaster Mon 25-May-15 10:46:40
Would anyone spare a thought for UK citizens currently living in the EU?

I will spare a thought for them as much as they will for me - so nil. Why should I give a damn.

MagicMojito - its extremely rude to say that NO voters are uninformed etc - it's obviously untrue and also pretty stupid.

Enough with the racist! blah blah - there are many reasons why people will be voting NO.



VOTE NO

[Andrewofgg]

Sorry hedgehogs - I meant that if I lived in France or Germany I would not vote in French or German elections even if I was allowed to. I would certainly keep up and exercise my vote in the UK.

[hedgehogsdontbite]

Ah ok. You had me worried there.

[judypoovey26]

No, UK residents who aren't British citizens should not be allowed to vote in the EU ref. they can't vote in the general election AND of course they would skew the vote. I don't for a minute think that if the result is a vote to leave the EU we would or should kick out those EU member UK residents (retroactively). I don't think it would be a disaster by any means of we do vote to leave. We are net contributors, therefore all those parts of the UK that 'rely' on EU subsidies should in theory not be affected. In fact, if there's more in the pot, we may end up better off. Believe me, the supposed ease of trade within the EU doesn't stop the farce of complicated withholding tax laws of you do business with other European countries. From a personal point of view, apart from not needing a visa, I've not found mainland Europe any less bureaucratic than other countries I have happened to do business in/with.

[judypoovey26]

*if not of. Bloody autocorrect!

[LeoandBoosmum]

Not at all!

[Andrewofgg]

judy Commonwealth citizens can vote in Parliamentary elections. In the long run I would stop that too.

[eyebags63]

I think they should take it further; only UK nationals LIVING in the UK should get a vote.

Of course the pro-EU camp want to skew the vote as much as possible and allowing non-UK nationals to vote would virtually guarantee the 'right' result as far as they are concerned.

And I say that as someone who would naturally lean towards an 'in' vote.

[eyebags63]

I have to say I think the mainstream parties have got this completely wrong by turning the debate into a benefits row though. Restricting benefits for EU migrants (the tiny number that get benefits anyway) is not going to change the mind of the euro skeptics.

The 'Kippers' I know are anti-immigration; benefits and abuse of the NHS is a side issue for them, their main objection is the sheer number of non white people coming into the country.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

We don't know the question yet, so how can you say, "Vote No", silveroldie? You could say, "In" or "Out" at this stage. (I'll say, "In")

[judypoovey26]

I don't think that's necessarily true, eyebag my beef with the EU has nothing to do with benefits - in fact, without migrants this country would struggle to prop up the Ponzi scheme that is pensions - it's more to do with the continued erosion of our self- determination as a nation and the horrible, self serving mess of Brussels. The ongoing Grexit debacle just makes me shake my head in horror. I often wonder if people who complain about Westminster running the UK have stopped to think about how we are relinquishing more and more power to Brussels.

[funambulist]

Just realised that not only will almost everyone in the country need a new passport, we will all also need new driving licences. Given the chaos that ensued last year when demand was a bit higher than usual for passports I'm not looking forward to the administrative nightmare that will follow an exit, not to mention the expense. Four new passports and two new driving licences will be needed for our family.

[eyebags63]

judypoovey26
That is my point...! The mainstream parties seem to think this debate needs to be all about restricting benefits and NHS access to people who are coming in from the EU.

They are completely wrong, the issue is much wider than that but they fail to recognise, which is why I think there is serious risk that Cameron will not deliver sufficient 'renegotiation' and the country will vote out.

But I also want to see a fair vote. I think at the moment all mainstream parties and the BBC will be in favour of staying in whatever the outcome of the renegotiation and they will massively outspend the 'out' camp on the campaign too. Ironically one of the big issues with the EU is the lack of democracy and accountability...

[eyebags63]

And notice how the 'in' people are already using scare tactics just like the 'no' people in the Scottish vote. Very depressing politics in general.

[judypoovey26]

Sorry eyebags I see what you meant now! That'll teach me for trying to post about the EU while trying to show DS an Angry Birds shortcut at the same time!!!!

[SeenSheen]

So a sudden influx of European Yes voters could deprive the British of any say in their own referendum! Ae you European OP?

[Madamecastafiore]

Being polish or Hungarian makes you a different nationality not a different race as far as I'm aware so not sure how it can be racism? I suppose unless you are Romany/Jewish maybe?