Hello everyone,
As an expat, your day-to-day life in England is impacted by decision-making at the political level in your host country as well as in your country of origin. We would like to know how involved you think expats should be in the political day-to-day of either their host or home country?
Can expats vote during elections which take place in their country of origin? Can you do so online or through embassies/consulates in England?
What is the administrative process which has been set up in England to enable expats to vote in their country of origin?
To which extent should political life in England include expats and their concerns? Should they be more active as a community to make their voices heard?
Are there any precautionary measures to observe during election period in your host country? Any local prohibitions?
Do you keep up with politics in England?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Bhavna
Expat interest in politics in England
British politics is a huge mess at the moment, and it's enough to give you a headache just trying to understand what the heck is happening. Times are changing.
My opinion.
Politics worldwide is changing. Social media has empowered people who were previously ignored and the establishment is now being held to account in a way that was previously impossible.
British politics is no different, it is going through what seems a state of constant flux with things like Brexit (the UK leaving the EU) and Austerity (reducing public spending) becoming the buzzwords used by many to try and justify supporting whatever political brand is in vogue.
In the UK, non-British residents only get to vote in local elections, specifically, local council and EU (if qualified) elections; whether anybody is permitted to vote in their home nation is entirely up to that nation. For example, Brits living abroad can vote in UK national elections by a postal vote for up to 15 years after leaving.
My wife (an EU national), can vote by post in National elections in her home country.
There is no British process set up to assist in this, it was entirely up to the Dutch government (very much like the Brit ex-pats living abroad).
Non-UK nationals can only take part in local politics; should they, later on, become UK citizens, then they acquire the same rights as everybody else, some even become UK national politicians, i.e. Gisela Stuart.
The UK is currently going through an election (12 Dec 2019); the majority of people are hoping that the results will deal with Brexit (either way). Austerity appears to have been dealt with.
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