Golden opportunity

OUR illustrious politicians have missed a golden opportunity to increase their support. If all non-Spanish European householders had been “recruited” then the electorate in the forthcoming May polls would have been enormous. Imagine how many non-Spanish home owners there are in the Calvia area. As a residence permit is no longer required just a passport (and as we know by now, be registered and on the electoral roll) the turn-out could have been enormous. But unfortunately it won't be, because at this time only about 15'000 non Spaniards are eligible, a drop in the ocean, that is probably equal to the number of non-Spanish home owners in Santa Ponsa, Palma Nova and Magalluf. Perhaps in four year's time things will be different. In some ways I am rather pleased. I don't think people who come to the island twice a year really should have the same rights as those who live here permanently. Norman Tebbitt famously had his cricket test I won't be so radical and at the end of the day it should all revolve around the place you call home. If home is Majorca then you should be able to vote, if home is Britain, then vote there. I know this will be difficult to control and decide but this is one of the low points of the government decision to scrap residencias. At least with a residencia everyone knew that you lived here full time. With a passport everything is different. But as I said earlier a golden opportunity has been missed and as far as I am concerned it's good news.