Conservatives press for inquiry into British expat voter participation
The Conservatives will force a vote in Parliament calling for an independent review of overseas voters’ registration and participation in elections.
The move comes ahead of the Remaining Stages of the Representation of the People Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday, and amid growing concern about the number of overseas postal ballots not being returned in time thanks to delays in the international mail service.
The previous Conservative Government led the way by introducing the Elections Act in 2022, which gave British expats the right to vote in UK parliamentary elections for life, rather than for just 15 years, and made it easier to register.
But Electoral Commission data shows that at the last General Election, only 49 per cent of registered overseas voters signed up for a postal vote. Just 52 per cent of these postal ballots were returned in time to be counted. The return rate from Australia was a mere 6 per cent. This compares to an average rate of 80 per cent for domestic postal votes. Surveys also indicate low awareness of the change in the law, and 51 per cent of those asked said they were not satisfied with the process of voting.
The Conservatives are therefore calling for an independent review looking at how we can increase registration and participation by ex-pats in British elections. British expats are the most disenfranchised section of the electorate: the system makes it impossible for the majority to exercise their democratic rights. Yet in the Bill, the Labour Government want to use computer algorithms to automatically sign up electors, despite the risks of wrongly enfranchising some people. And at the same time, they are turning a blind eye to the obstacles preventing legitimate British citizens from voting.
We believe all British people, excluding prisoners, should be able to vote in our elections, without facing major logistical hurdles. In a letter to the then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer, then-Housing Secretary Steve Reed hinted that the Government would consider changes. He said Ministers were “committed to improving electoral registration” and that they were “actively exploring ways to do so.” But it is unclear whether the new Prime Minister and new Housing Secretary Angela Rayner share these intentions.
Paul Holmes MP, Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister, said: “Brits living overseas face tough obstacles when trying to vote in our elections. The previous Conservative Government changed the law to make things easier, but more needs to be done.
“Instead, Labour risk wrongly enfranchising some people at the same time as turning a blind eye to the issues stopping genuine British citizens from voting. “That’s why the Conservatives have tabled an amendment calling for an inquiry looking at how to boost registration and voting among ex-pats, so all Brits have an equal say. “We are forcing a vote on Wednesday and call on MPs of all parties to support us as we seek
to improve participation in our democracy.”
