Voting rights

IF you don´t vote, you shouldn´t have the right to complain. This is an old saying but one which is very true. Unfortunately, Isuspect only a small number of non-Spanish European Union residents in Majorca will be voting in the European elections later this year. The local authorities are making a big effort to try and get expats voting and in some ways it is a almost bad manners if we don´t vote! I say this because plenty of people have worked long and hard to secure the vote for non-Spaniards (from the European Union) in the European and council elections. It was not easy and Spain had to change its constitution to give foreigners their voting rights.  So we get the vote and the turnout is poor! Surely, we should show our appreciation to the Spanish government and the European Union who wants us to feel at home in another member state? I would like to congratulate all the non-Spaniards from European Union countries who have registered to vote because they are setting an example. Ihear and read about plenty of complaints about Spain, so if you don´t like it the best way forward is to vote and show your displeasure. We can all complain that expat Scots have been snubbed in the Scottish independence referendum and we can moan that long-time expatriates are unable to vote in British general elections. But we can vote in Spain. Our voting powers do not extend to general elections but it is better than nothing and we should take advantage.