Copy the French?

[s2art]

The French have a constituency to cover French people abroad, basically an MP that represents Frenchies in northern Europe (113000 in England alone). and others for other parts of the world. Now we are leaving the EU should we do similar? Discus.

[crofty1984]

Absolutely not. But if another, better, country does the same thing, we should copy them.

I think it's smart, people in London will have a different set of challenges and desires than someone in Newark or Manchester, so, whilst we can argue forever about proportional representation the current system does at least make sure the concerns of areas with smaller populations are all heard and their specific needs addressed. I think it's reasonable to assume that ex-pats would also like a similar say about their specific needs.

[Eric Mc]

If only we'd offered that service to the North American colonies.

[Derek Smith]

Eric Mc said:

If only we'd offered that service to the North American colonies.

At the time of the Tea Party, <3% of the UK population had the vote, so the Yanks were treated exactly the same as the rest. Even after the 1832 First Reform Act, less than 1/14th of the population had the vote.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

But someone retired in Cyrpus will have equally different concerns to someone working in Dubai and different again to someone settled in Canada. Expats are not necessarily more homogenous than the people who live here.

I think the current system is ok. You can vote in your old constituency for 15 years after leaving, and as I understand it, it's easy enough to keep a presence here to vote beyond that if you register at the address of a relative.

If you haven't lived here for 15 years and don't visit regularly enough to maintain this then I think not having a vote is fair enough.

[ATG]

Not sure. I guess it depends to what degree they've upped sticks. If all their assets are out of the country and they're not paying any tax here, should they still get representation in Parliament? I'm not convinced.

[s2art]

ATG said:

Not sure. I guess it depends to what degree they've upped sticks. If all their assets are out of the country and they're not paying any tax here, should they still get representation in Parliament? I'm not convinced.

Its a problem. Even if they currently have no assets over here (pension funds included?) most will have family links, parents, offspring etc. They still will have an interest. Who do they go to if there is an issue after we lose our MEPs? (all this assumes they still have UK passports)

[hoagypubdog]

I might be on my own but the American system of taxing US citizens wherever you live isn't a bad idea if you still want to have benefits of good ol' USA protection globally. Not sure on voting rights tho'

[JuanCarlosFandango]

s2art said:

Its a problem. Even if they currently have no assets over here (pension funds included?) most will have family links, parents, offspring etc. They still will have an interest. Who do they go to if there is an issue after we lose our MEPs? (all this assumes they still have UK passports)

I've known of a couple of people who live abroad and use a relatives address for driving licences and stuff as well as voting.

It is probably strictly speaking illegal, but I don't know if it would be pursued and how they would prove that you didn't move back for a week once every 15 years before deciding to move overseas again.

[Ayahuasca]

hoagypubdog said:

I might be on my own but the American system of taxing US citizens wherever you live isn't a bad idea if you still want to have benefits of good ol' USA protection globally. Not sure on voting rights tho'

You are on your own.

[hidetheelephants]

s2art said:

The French have a constituency to cover French people abroad, basically an MP that represents Frenchies in northern Europe (113000 in England alone). and others for other parts of the world. Now we are leaving the EU should we do similar? Discus.

MP for the Falklands, Gib, BIOT, Pitcairn etc. perhaps not a bad idea(assuming the populations were in favour) although campaigning might be challenging . Representation for expats not so much, they have chosen to expatriate themselves.

[Eric Mc]

Derek Smith said:

Eric Mc said:

If only we'd offered that service to the North American colonies.

At the time of the Tea Party, <3% of the UK population had the vote, so the Yanks were treated exactly the same as the rest. Even after the 1832 First Reform Act, less than 1/14th of the population had the vote.

3% is better than Zero %.