I signed up to vote in the local elections in France.
I have now received a letter reminding me to fill in the form to vote in UK (and I'm assuming European elections).
I'm assuming I can't vote in both countries. For the moment I'd rather vote in France, so shall I ignore the UK one?
Glyn
Why are most expats so oblivious to this truth - expressed by Doreen and Roger?
We live in France by virtue of the treaties between the UK and EU allowing us freedom of movement and residence in any State of the Union. If Britain withdraws from the Union then we become foreigners in the EU - No longer would we be European Citizens - then the pensions could be frozen - and other sanctions could be applied. I do not desire to be a scaremonger but those of us of very advanced years may recall that Britain once restricted the amount of money one could take abroad. This restriction was lifted when Mrs Thatcher came to power. France once imposed a tax on money coming into France from the UK. Protection afforded by the treaties of Rome and Maastrict would cease.
We must have the VOTE and Political Representation. Encourage everyone to sign the following petition.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/55085
The pensioner expat is ready enough to sign the petition for the Winter Fuel Payment - but for democracy!??? very few indeed. We are European Citizens but also British Nationals .
Two years ago Axelle Lemaire, a French Canadian living in London, was elected as a Deputé to the French National Assembly to represent French Nationals living in Europe de Nord. There are more than 113,000 French expats living and working in the UK who have registered to vote in French National Elections - a right they have for life. I believe that we British expats should have the same right for life to vote in the UK, but more importantly I believe we should also have the right to elect our own MP to the House of Commons, just as the French expats in the UK elected Axelle Lemaire.
I am British and I intend to remain British. Although I have chosen to live in France for the time being, I have no wish to take French Nationality, I will always retain my British passport; unless of course, Britain embarks on a referendum which could take the UK out of the European Union. If that disastrous moment should arrive, be it the Cameron model, or the Miliband model, then I will be stateless, and the protections and safeguards which protect me within EU law now, will cease.
As it is, I already feel under threat. Iain Duncan Smith is campaigning to strip me of the only benefit I can claim over and above my State pension, the Winter Fuel Payment. Also, that same man must support Clause 20 of the Pensions Bill, which will allow future Governments to deny annual uprating of pensions to those who live outside the UK.
I can think of many reasons to register to vote in the UK; to exercise that vote on every occasion until my fifteen years is up; to campaign for the fifteen years rule to be repealed, and for us British loyalists to have representation in Parliament so that our voice cannot be ignored by those politicians who want to pull up the drawbridge and keep us out.
I didn’t know you could opt to vote in the uk euro elections rather than in France, I agree with you not all UK MEPs are the same I have had a few friends that have served as MEPs in the north west the last one retires this year, all of them were decent hardworking people.
Almost all correct Andy. You can choose to vote in the UK for the Euro elections as well as the general election as long as you have not been out of the country for more than 15 years.
This arbitrary period was chosen well before communications were so easy and assumes that we have no interest in the UK.
Our pensions are governed by UK law and the removal of restrictions and the raising of the amount one is allowed to withdraw your fund as announced in the last budget, will help us manage our finances more easily. So we have a huge interest in what goes on in the UK.
I also have an internet radio and listen to to the Today programme avidly, which probably makes me more informed than a large percentage of the UK electorate who have no restrictions placed on their voting.
Obviously, you cannot vote in both countries, but having had a correspondence with the Electoral Commission in the UK, they seem to have more faith in the efficiency of the French authorities to discover those who do vote in both countries than myself.
as I understand it unless you are resident in the UK you can only vote in the UK general election for a period of 15 years in the constituency you last lived. You can register to vote in France for municipal and Euro elections only.
I too support Brian Cave and can only say how lucky you have been with your dealings with CPAM. I have found totally the opposite!
You make another sweeping statement that life would be easier if we all conformed. I was being denied my right to medical treatment in the UK and took the fight to Brussels on behalf of all British retirees living in France. Perhaps that included yourself? I did this with the help of Sir Graham Watson MEP, the Liberal Democrat MEP for my constituency in the South West and who certainly has no truck with UKIP.
I would never vote for UKIP, but yo
Your statement seems to imply that all British MEPs are tainted with their ideals, which is far from the truth.
As for being loyal, is it not the sitting member who has to represent all their constituents, however they voted?
I have lived in France for 10 years now, have voted in both the French and UK Euro elections (not at the same time) and have always voted in the UK parliamentary elections. I believe in having my say. I am British, will remain British and I want a designated MP to look after my interests. I agree totally with Brian Cave and actively campaign with him, as does Dorothy Hales, Emily Pankhurst's decendant. I have found my local CPAM office very helpful and they explain what I must do and I do it in the way that they want it done. France is bureaucratic and life is easier if you conform. Regards being unfair to British MEPs, I will never, never be loyal to a UKIP member. In fact the tirade that one performed in the Euro parliament almost made me ashamed to be British!
It is very easy to check which political party any MEP represents.
I have more confidence than yourself that we are all capable of making an informed choice of MEP.
Your sweeping statement to be wary of British MEPs is totally unfair.
I see that you are a new member, but I cannot see you. Perhaps you have recently come to live in France and have not had as much contact with the French authorities as some of us and the appalling lack of knowledge, indeed one could even say prejudice, that some of us have encountered in our dealings with them.
Brian, my reasoning for voting for a British MEP rather than for a French one is that I have had such assistance from Sir Graham Watson, who immediately recognised that my problem also affected all British retirees living in France.
Having spoken to French friends, they have not had the same assistance from their MEPs, indeed one wrote twice and never had a reply!
From my experience, a French MEP us more likely to agree with the French authorities than take an interest in specifically British problems.
I probably am! But surely any bill that didn't give people normally eligible to vote the right to vote would be undemocratic? And as the UK is (nominally at least) a democracy....
And obviously it all dépends on who gets in at the next election!
to David Mollet
I think you are referring to the private memebrs bill which has been killed off. I agree it is likely (and definitely desirable) that any bill would not disenfranchise those expats who have kept up their right to vote, but you never know...
to Steve Foley
But you might well want to vote in the Euro referendum (I can't see any way that expats would benefit from a British secession, and many ways in which we might be disadvantaged)
Personally I would be wary of British MEPs. They need checking out as some are the appalling UKIP party and they certainly wont have your interest at heart. Do some research before you jump.
We are Europeans with British Nationality - Your MEP is in effect representing you as a European Citizen to the European Parliament - not to any French Assembly nor any British Parliament. The MEP you might vote for could well be British representing you as a British National. This seems to me perfectably reasonable. It is sad that after 15 years the awkward system we live under no longer allows one to have a native English speaking MEP to represent you. If you are within the 15 year limit then you have a choice to vote for a UK based MEP or a France based MEP - but not both of course. As a British national you should (but do not) have representation in the British Parliament. The EU Commission itself believes but cannot at the moment insist, that every Euro-citizen should have representation in their National Parliament [the French DO!]. There is also a campaign Europe-wide to allow everyone to have representation in the State where they are resident (e.g. the French Assembly alongside ( and as though one is) the French nationals) - All is in a state of evolution - There has to be a change to a new order of political representation.
You can join our mailing lists by dropping a line to lefourquet@gmail.com
view also www.votes-for-expat-brits.com
The Bill which is currently going through the Lords provides for anyone normally eligible to vote at the date of the referendum to vote.
So as long as you're registered to vote (and if a referendum takes place) you'll be able to vote.
If you are not registered you certainly will. Ot be able to vote.
If overseas EU electors are denied, I can assure you that there will be a legal challenge through the Commission.
It's not certain that we can vote in a Euro referendum, it depends on the bill.
You can vote for your commune here in France and your MEP either in France or UK.
You can only vote in the national elections in the UK unless you become a French citizen to enable you to vote here.
By being registered to vote in the UK you will also be able to vote in any forthcoming referendum, which I feel strongly is the issue which will most affect us all.
I can't see how you can vote in both countries. i think I'll forget the UK for the moment. Thanks everybody.
Glyn