Why Should Those Who Do Not Live Here Have A Say In Our Future?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/did-you-know-expats-will-be-able-to-vote-in-the-eu-referendum
Forces and foreign service accepted of course but why should those who do not even want to live here have any say?

[Peter Pedant]

3T you are suggesting white brits wherever they be ( British for ever! britannia rules the waves ! etc background muzak ) are deprivied of the vote ?

I am shocked I really am shocked

[steg]

Expats can vote in uk general election so why not

[ToraToraTora]

expats have forsaken their home land, why should they have any say?

[ToraToraTora]

if it's not good enough to live in why do they care anyway?

[Khandro]

Of course they should be allowed to vote, the outcome could have a very serious effect on their lives and they have worked and paid taxes in the UK, notwithstanding holding the possibility of returning should they so wish.

[Sqad]

Oi! TTT...I have served for 35+years in one of your beloved services, I have pain probably more tax in the UK than you and certainly most and I let that Mr Brown cream off the top of my private pensions and you have the cheek to ask THAT question.

[Sqad]

\\\expats have forsaken their home land, why should they have any say?\\

FORSAKEN?..Christ, all we did was to live in the sun for our latter years.

\\\\\f it's not good enough to live in why do they care anyway?\\\
Because Spain allows my public sector pensions to be paid tax free as an expat and if we (UK) vote OUT...my pensions may well be taxed in Spain.

[ummmm]

I agree with Sqad. He's worked here most of his life, paid his dues, he should have a say.

Opting to live in warmer climates doesn't mean you're turning your back on your country.

[Peter Pedant]

sorry sqad I have reported your answer
This is NOT a pension question
it is a cross in the box question and are you bright enogh to do one ?

[ erm - I didnt really report it ]

[ToraToraTora]

is that the service you regularly sl86 off sqad? Your choice to live abroad why would you want a vote when you choose not to live here?

[Togo]

That is would you believe from the British High Commission, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Now if I register with that site, will I get some sort of on-line vote and a vote in the normal way at home. Who is checking? It only asks for a NINo
and DoB.? What safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the system I could use up the details of people I know who are not going to vote.

[ToraToraTora]

i see, sqad, you are not concerned with the nation just the possibility that Spain may tax you on your pension. Then there are the other lot who are concerned that health care will now not be covered by reciprocal arrangements. I only see selfish reasons so far.

[Sqad]

TTT

\\\\ I only see selfish reasons so far.\\\

Exactly......and it doesn't bother me one iota.

[ToraToraTora]

oh PP(10:57), I never said anything about ethnicity not sure why you are trying to turn this into some sort of racism.

[ummmm]

Me and Sqad are not the best of friends....but he's earn'd his right to be selfish.

[youngmafbog]

I agree TTT.

Anyone who has chosen to live abroad, often for tax reasons, is no longer interested in the UK, apart from pure selfish reasons.

And for the record I have paid a fortune in tax over the years as I was very well paid, and I have worked abroad (but always paid UK tax).

[Ellipsis]

Most people will be voting on selfish grounds, surely?

"Oh, this will be terrible for me, but for the sake of the country I'll stick my cross here ..."

[Togo]

Remember if the vote is to stay in, the UK will cease to exist in all but name, depriving those who want a UK from ever having one again. If however the vote is out we can still retain the UK and sovereignty, the EU will still be here for those who advocate it's benefits. They can move easily to the megastate if it suits them. Perhaps we could replace them with people who have historic family links to the UK, with say disgruntled S. African, Zimbabwean, or any of the former territories, but have a desire to be here. They are of course currently not allowed to move here.

[steg]

If the uk vote is to stay in eu the people not happy can move to a non eu country, I'm hearing plenty vacancies in Syria

[gness]

Ummmm and I aren't the best of friends....but I agree with her about Sqad......gosh....this could turn into a real uniting thread......☺