Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé

British citizens who move abroad currently lose their voting rights after 15 years. Controversially, this prevented many from voting in the EU Referendum which would have a major impact on their lives. A number of dedicated campaigners have been lobbying for many years to have the time restriction removed, and the government is now supporting a Private Member’s Bill to meet these demands and grant ‘Votes for Life’. But the bill is politically controversial and has many opponents. 

The Salon bought together expertise from Sussex European Institute, with Dr. Sue Collard talking about her research on voting among non-residents, with participants from a Berlin based advocacy group, the Electoral Reform Society and an expert on election administration. The evening saw a discussion of the principles of voting rights for non-residents in general as well as covering the complex issue of the changing nature of UK law on franchise arrangements in elections and referendums.