Fewer than 200,000 Britons Abroad Apply to Vote in UK Election
Fewer than 200,000 of the 3.5 million Britons abroad have applied to vote in the UK election after a law change restored their voting rights. Notable overseas Britons like Sue Wilson and Gabrielle Gombert highlight issues with major parties' stances on Brexit. Awareness and logistical challenges are cited as factors for low voter registration.
Fewer than 200,000 of the estimated 3.5 million British people living abroad for more than 15 years have applied to vote in the UK general election, despite the law change in January 2023 that restored their right to participate.
Notable figures like Sue Wilson, co-chair of Bremain in Spain, and Gabrielle Gombert from the Netherlands have voiced their intent to vote, citing dissatisfaction with the major political parties' stances on key issues like Brexit.
Wilson aims to support the Liberal Democrats to oppose the Conservative Party, while Gombert remains undecided.
Jane Golding, co-chair of the campaign group British in Europe, and other activists have pointed out a lack of awareness and logistical challenges as reasons for the low registration numbers.
The Electoral Commission urges overseas Britons to register before the 18 June deadline for voting online.
In the last election in December 2019, over 230,000 overseas voters were registered, a number which has not been matched this year.
Notable figures like Sue Wilson, co-chair of Bremain in Spain, and Gabrielle Gombert from the Netherlands have voiced their intent to vote, citing dissatisfaction with the major political parties' stances on key issues like Brexit.
Wilson aims to support the Liberal Democrats to oppose the Conservative Party, while Gombert remains undecided.
Jane Golding, co-chair of the campaign group British in Europe, and other activists have pointed out a lack of awareness and logistical challenges as reasons for the low registration numbers.
The Electoral Commission urges overseas Britons to register before the 18 June deadline for voting online.
In the last election in December 2019, over 230,000 overseas voters were registered, a number which has not been matched this year.