Long-term expats to again be denied vote in general election

LONG-TERM expats will once again not be allowed to vote in a general election.

Those who have been living abroad for over 15 years still have no right to a vote in the upcoming election announced for June 8.

This is despite a pledge last year by the Conservative Government to introduce a bill to scrap the unpopular limit on expats in time for the next national return to the polls.

The British Embassy in Madrid made the confirmation following Theresa May’s election announcement this week to The Spain Report.

It said that while it remained ‘committed to changing the law to enfranchise all British ex-pats’ in time for 2020, when it was previously believed Britain would return to the polls, there is not ‘sufficient time’ to do this in time for the new election date.

The Government’s intention to ditch the 15 year voting limit was confirmed through the publication of a policy statement called Democracy that works for everyone.