Who's going to vote in the UK Election?

[200bhp]

Am I the only one who really doesn't understand the point of being eligible to vote in the UK election for up to 15 years after leaving the UK?

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-residents-ov...

Surely most British people left the UK for a reason and given we're not affected in the slightest by UK policies here on the other side of the world, why would anyone bother? I'm not talking here about people that happen to be out of the country on the big day and will be back in a year, they've been promoting the fact that you can vote up to 15 years after you left.

[dobly]

Interesting - we left in 2002 and are in NZ - looks like we can vote! I'll try the link when I get home as we need passport numbers etc. and post back where I get to.

[Jader1973]

Only found out today when I was on the BBC website and an ad popped up.

I'm going to register later on.

I never actually voted when I lived in the UK, although I was registered (I think).

ETA just completed the online form.

I thought I'd put all my details in the website and be registered........turns out that passes your details on to the electoral office where you last lived in the UK (and it looks like it registers you at your last UK address, although they don't really explain that bit). They also post or e-mail a postal vote registration form so that you can register so they can post you a postal vote for you to post back come election time.

I've run out of enthusiasm already. Not sure I can actually be arsed.

Edited by Jader1973 on Tuesday 14th April 10:32

[dobly]

still trying to find my UK NI number - it must be in a file in storage - will hunt at the weekend.

[Jader1973]

Possibly too late

Swindon office got back to me: postal vote packs get sent out on the 28th of April.

They are concerned there isn't enough time to get to Aus and back. I'm not sure that gives it enough time to get anywhere and back.

What a great process!

[dobly]

yep- too late. oh well.....