British expats win back right to vote in UK elections

Thousands of UK nationals living in Cayman, and millions around the world, regained the right to vote in their home country.

Under previous rules, anyone who had been living outside of the United Kingdom for 15 years automatically lost the right to vote, both in general elections and referenda, including the crucial ‘Brexit’ vote.

With a general election likely before the end of the year, the move is expected to start a scramble from some 3.4 million British expats around the world to re-register to vote.

The change means British citizens are now guaranteed lifelong voting rights. It follows the enactment of the Elections Law 2022, which itself was the culmination of campaigning from various groups including ‘British in Europe’ and the Conservative-led ‘Votes for Life’ Campaign.

There is no official data on exactly how many people in Cayman are impacted but the change would encompass UK citizens who have been here for decades and acquired Caymanian status, as well as long-term expats who have lived in multiple countries and children who left the UK before reaching voting age.

“Voting is a basic citizenship right regardless of where someone lives. This is a historic change to the UK franchise after years of campaigning by ourselves and others,” said Jane Golding, co-chair of British in Europe, in UK media reports. The group has also published information and guidance for those looking to vote.

The campaign group British in Europe said the change in the law brought the UK in line with other major democracies which allow lifelong voting rights, including the US, France, Italy and Canada, The Guardian reported.

With the Conservative party running behind in the polls and facing the prospect of a large electoral defeat, the measure could potentially work in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s favour. There is no clear polling on the political allegiances of Brits living overseas, but the Conservative party’s sponsorship of the right-to-vote legislation and backing of the campaign suggests they believe it could help their cause.

Leading party members attempted to present the change as a win for the Conservatives in statements to the UK media.

Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, quoted in the right-leaning Euro Weekly news, said, “From today, millions of British nationals across the world can exercise their right to vote in future General Elections and have their say in the way their country should be governed.

“The Conservatives have once again shown that we are the party for democracy and protecting an individual’s right to vote.”

Richard Holden, Conservative Party chairman, added, “After years of hard work from Conservatives Abroad and our party members we have finally seen the biggest expansion of our democratic franchise in almost a century, despite persistent opposition from Labour and Liberal Democrats.”

During debate of the Election Act in the UK Parliament in 2022, Labour objected to the change, with shadow minister Alex Norris arguing that “wealthy donors who have not lived in the UK for decades will find it easier to contribute”, according to the BBC.

Expat voters will be registered in the district they were in the last time they voted or in their last place of residence before they emigrated. They can register to vote here.