Chloe Smith, Britain’s Constitution minister, has spoken for the government on a bill set to be debated today that would lift current restrictions on expat voting rights if passed. The Overseas Electors Bill will end the 15 year limit on people from Britain who now live abroad casting a ballot in the country’s elections if Parliament approves it. The bill, tabled by Conservative MP Glyn Davies, will go up for debate in the House of Commons today.
Chloe Smith said the proposals had the support of the government and that she hoped it would be backed by members of parliament from all parties.
“British citizens who live overseas find themselves abruptly disenfranchised after they have lived abroad for 15 years, even where they still feel closely connected to our country.”
“To many, this has been a terrible injustice,” she said.
Full Article: British government minister makes statement on expat voting rights push ahead of debate.