British nationals living overseas for more than 15 years will be given the right to vote in elections under new laws tabled by the government, ending a 20-year battle by 99-year-old Harry Shindler. The move, unveiled in the Queen’s speech, could give the right to vote in local and general elections to 3 million Britons retired or working abroad. Jane Golding, co-chair of British in Europe, which has also campaigned for the vote, said “getting our vote back matters hugely”. “If the government is serious about its global Britain agenda, it should be forging links with its overseas nationals as a key form of soft power. But this soared amid the Brexit debate, with 285,000 registering to vote in the snap election called by Theresa May in 2017.

Source: The Guardian May 11, 2021 11:27 UTC