20/04/2017 00:00
Another general election, and for those Britons who have lived outside of the UK for more than 15 years and have not registered to vote during that time - some two million expatriates around the world - cannot vote in seven weeks time.
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Due to this snap election, I get to vote,.... just, as I am closing in on 15 years outside the UK. So far I have never voted in a UK general election while I have been here as I figured out that it had very little to do with me as our lives are here now....but this one will be dominated by the various parties approaches to the Brexit negotiations...that has quite a lot to do with me, my future and that of our kid, so I will be exercising my right, one last time....no idea who to vote for mind you, but I have seven weeks to make up my mind.
Secondly having lived outside the UK for a very long time! I don't think I should be entitled to vote in the UK general election. I don't pay taxes there or contribute in any way so why should I have a vote? I would like to be able to vote in all of Spain's elections - these affect me far more. I don't know whether other long-time British residents here share my view or whether I'm alone in thinking thus.
First of all those "who have lived outside the UK for more than fifteen years" are not "expats", we are immigrants like anyone else from another country. Please do not call me an expat! You sound like Mr what's his name on that video of the 'posh' British ghetto (his description) in Orihuela who said - I quote- "Expats are British. Foreigners are people of other nationalities who live in the UK. The British are never foreigners wherever they go"! Makes you cringe doesn't it? Arghh!
So the man who admitted in print that he does not regard the UK as his country and has spent most of his life abroad has become a champion for British immigrants to Spain,that's rich. There are only 300.000 registered British immigrants living in Spain so they probably don't figure on many UK politicians list of priorities,given all the cuts being made,the huge increase in homelessness and food banks,people struggling to make ends meet on short-term contracts etc.