Around two million more British citizens living overseas will be able to register for a vote in general elections following a rule change.
The change follows a long campaign by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler, who left the UK to live in Italy around 40 years ago.
Jane Golding, co-chair of the campaign group British in Europe, said: 'Voting is a basic citizenship right regardless of where someone lives.
Prior to 2015, the number of overseas voters never rose above 35,000; however levels were boosted following a registration campaign leading up to the 2015 general election and increased interest ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum.
At the last general election in 2019, more than 200,000 people were registered as overseas voters out of an estimated 1.2m who were eligible at the time.
During debate of the Election Act in Parliament in 2022, Labour objected to the change, with shadow minister Alex Norris arguing that “wealthy donors who have not lived in the UK for decades will find it easier to contribute”.
The original article contains 398 words, the summary contains 172 words. Saved 57%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Around two million more British citizens living overseas will be able to register for a vote in general elections following a rule change.
The change follows a long campaign by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler, who left the UK to live in Italy around 40 years ago.
Jane Golding, co-chair of the campaign group British in Europe, said: 'Voting is a basic citizenship right regardless of where someone lives.
Prior to 2015, the number of overseas voters never rose above 35,000; however levels were boosted following a registration campaign leading up to the 2015 general election and increased interest ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum.
At the last general election in 2019, more than 200,000 people were registered as overseas voters out of an estimated 1.2m who were eligible at the time.
During debate of the Election Act in Parliament in 2022, Labour objected to the change, with shadow minister Alex Norris arguing that “wealthy donors who have not lived in the UK for decades will find it easier to contribute”.
The original article contains 398 words, the summary contains 172 words. Saved 57%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!