Thanks for all the replies.
As things stand for no good reason at least a million British expatriates who have been resident abroad
in the EU for more that 15 years will not be able to vote in the referendum.
The first law granting voting rights to non-resident Britons passed in 1985, applied only to those who
had been abroad for five years or fewer. Thatcher increased that to 20 years in 1989. Blair cut it
back to 15 in 2000. Conservatives made a manifesto pledge to repeal the 15 year rule. The appropriate basis for voting rights is citizenship.
There is no suggestion that those in this position have ceased to be British citizens. Britain remains
their country and they clearly have a right to a say in its future. It is less clear why Irish and Commonwealth citizens living in Britain or Gibraltar for any length of time may vote in the referendum
while British citizens resident in Gibraltar for more than 15 years may not. At the same time non-British may vote in local and European elections but not national ones or referendums.
The law is complex and inconsistent but not beyond repair. That is no reason not to do the right thing.
Enjoy the wonderful Bank Holiday weather. Cheers.
So then there is no incentive for
folks to keep their British status
after x amount of years. Seems
best to choose voting status in
the country you live in and also
apply for dual citizenship to the
homeland country. Ach behind
the scenes of politics