So we get to vote again.

[franke]

Here

Will you bother? I'm not sure. I'll register so I can decide but my old constituency has had the same MP for years now and can't see it changing. Don't much like the fptp voting system in the UK 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes, I will. I've been out of the UK for over 20 years, but this is important to me. It's a right expats of many other countries retain, so I'm pleased it's now available to UK citizens.

I wasn't aware of this change, so thank you for highlighting it here.

I don't think anyone who does not pay taxes in this country should have a say in how that money is spent, which is what voting boils down to really.

I don’t see why people who don’t live here long term should have a say. I don’t vote in my home country, even though I’m eligible to.

Yes. Its a democratic right that was taken away. I will be voting

I did register to vote in the 2019 election in my old (safe conservative since forever) ward, but ultimately I didn't vote because, when push comes to shove, it's not my country anymore. I'd prefer a vote in the EU country I now live in but I'm not (yet) a citizen. It's a cliché, but I voted with my feet...

A referendum vote on something that affects us overseas residents is different and oh how I wish that had been available to those who had been overseas for 15+ years back in 2016.

Yes, I’d like to vote and will sign up. My family still lives in the UK and one day I might return. So yes, I do care about how it’s being run.

So we should have no say in decisions that effect our futures? Eg our pensions, access to healthcare, safety.

I am looking forward to voting. There are two constituencies where I could feasibly claim to vote; might try and vote in the more marginal one if I can!

Same. I've been gone 16+ years but the likelihood that I'll return at some point is high so the opportunity to vote is not one I'll take for granted.

Oh and I still pay into National Insurance so it is sensible to vote

So, how does it work? Is it like some countries, where there is a constituency for expats/emigrants/diaspora and an MP to represent, or do I need to pick a constituency? When I was in the U.K. I moved around quite a lot (student then work, then masters) so I don’t have a home constituency. Plus there is no concept of residency in the U.K., I was possibly ordinarily resident at my parents’ home whilst a student, but they have now moved to somewhere I’ve never lived

And yes, I will vote, even if only to get revenge on the fact I was unable to vote in that idiotic referendum that had such an impact on my family. Wankers.

Yes I'll be using my parents address even though I don't live there. I'm pretty sure we can still nominate a proxy as well

Thanks @Strokethefurrywall . I don’t think they’ve thought it through really. Plus people with divorced parents, can they just pick? That said, for Italians you vote in your last comune of residence before leaving the country, so I suppose it’s not dissimilar. France I think has an MP for emigrants, which seems eminently sensible. Not sure what happens in other countries?

That's a really small minded and short term view. We have paid taxes at some point and we will pay taxes again, as I am sure we will have to return when our parents age. And, we make NI contributions.

Plus... it's our country. We are 100% British. Of course we have a vested interest in how the country is run.

ALSO... it's a bit of an assumption that every expat does not pay taxes. I know many that do.

You register to vote (renewable every three years), and then register separately for a postal or proxy vote for each election:

Thanks for this, I wasn't aware either. I've just filled the online form in.
Been in Italy since 1994 but work part of the year in the UK and own a house there so welcome the fact that I get a say again.

It asks where you were last registered. I think mine was Liverpool but I was only there for a year for work so it might be Manchester. I expect I'll be told!

I registered. I couldn’t remember the last time I registered to vote in the U.K., I think I might have been 18 or 20. Then the student years then the poll tax where no one registered, then I left the country. I also couldn’t remember my NI number, but took a stab as remembered the second half. I suspect I might be contacted about that. Hopefully it won’t void my eligibility.