Michael Portillo, Spanish Passportholder

[Khandro]

On Thursday night's 'Newsweek' Michael Portillo announced that he had just voted in the Spanish elections, "as a holder of Spanish passport". Unless this a new arrangement, how could he have been a standing member of the British parliament? I would have thought being British was a pre-requisite for this.

[jno]

he could be both

[boxtops]

I suspect he has joint citizenship

[ladybirder]

I know he was born here.

[emmie]

not sure explains it all but
Born Michael Denzil Portillo in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, Portillo took the name Xavier at confirmation. His father was an exiled Spanish not republican, Luis Gabriel Portillo (1907–1993). His mother is Cora (née Blyth); her father was John Blyth, a prosperous linen mill owner from Kirkcaldy.[

[Khandro]

http://www.trueknowle..._portillo_nationality
For what it's worth, this website claims him to be British.

[bednobs]

so? my nephew is American, but he has an british passport also because his mother is english

[netibiza]

Annoying really cos I've lived in Spain for 40 yrs and am not allowed to vote even though they take taxes and everything possible off me, and yes I am still British, but surely I should have a say in how my money is spent cos I live here.

[dzug2]

You can vote in EU elections surely?

[Khandro]

bednobs, when you say 'he has an british passport also' are you saying he has 2 passports, American and British ?
netibiza, I sympathise, I am British with passport, but domicile in Germany, though can't vote here.
But the question remains about Portillo; how could he have been a British MP with a Spanish passport?

[Buenchico]

Plenty of people hold dual nationality, with two (or even more) passports. There's nothing unusual about it. Micheal Portillo is British (so he's perfectly entitled to be an an MP) but he's also Spanish as well.

MPs don't need to be British anyway. They can also be Irish or from any Commonwealth country:
http://www.parliament...cting-mps/candidates/

Chris

[bednobs]

Khandro - yes he has both

[Khandro]

Thanks Chris, It appears that Spain is exceptional in allowing duel status - it's not allowed for example by Germany- so he could vote by virtue of the fact that he had a Spanish father.
bednobs, out of interest; was your nephew born in the UK?

[Buenchico]

Spain certainly isn't exceptional. Very few countries require their citizens to give up citizenship of any other country.

Contrary to your post, it's possible for someone to hold both British and German citizenship:
http://www.dw-world.d...le/0,,2760125,00.html

[netibiza]

My friend has Spanish/German nationalities, cos her mother is Spanish and her father German and she has two passports.

I can only vote in the local elections (for the town mayor!)

[Khandro]

netibiza, Do you know where does (can) your friend vote in general elections?
Chris, Good work! I wasn't aware that changes were in process. I think they are being brought about by the Turks, who want everything it seems; they want German nationality without giving up their Turkish passports, are reluctant to learn German, and don't want to do national service, and much more.