Entering the UK- or going to happen now

How is it legal for people who don't live here to vote here? If they've lived abroad for years they can only have a partial understanding of the way the country currently works, and as has been said, don't have to live with the consequences of their vote anyway.

I'm not sure I even agree with the idea of dual citizenship. Maybe temporary emigrants/immigrants should keep the citizenship of their home country (as most do), and if/when they become long-term residents they should choose where their loyalties lie. I could be persuaded otherwise, though - it's not something I've thought about much, and it may be more complex than that.

So have I got this right? I can travel to the UK using my Canadian passport and the ETA.I do not require a second British passport?I have a Canadian friend born in the UK who plans to travel to the UK in April and in spite of everything we have both read she still insists she must have the second passport.She maintains that I will be denied boarding without it.So confusing the whole business.🤨ps, thank you Bluebell

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

X post Llamedos13

Yes Nanna you can vote - The Election Act 2022 (introduced by Kemi Badenoch) hugely widened the scope for Brits living abroad being able to vote. Didn't do Badenoch much good though.

All abroad! More Brits overseas can now register to vote | Electoral Commission share.google/8I1JdwSm8GuGj8tTT

Doodledog

How is it legal for people who don't live here to vote here? If they've lived abroad for years they can only have a partial understanding of the way the country currently works, and as has been said, don't have to live with the consequences of their vote anyway.

I'm not sure I even agree with the idea of dual citizenship. Maybe temporary emigrants/immigrants should keep the citizenship of their home country (as most do), and if/when they become long-term residents they should choose where their loyalties lie. I could be persuaded otherwise, though - it's not something I've thought about much, and it may be more complex than that.

I think you can for up to 15 years after leaving, possibly because you are overseas with work and you might come back again.

I thought that if you don have British citizenship you can’t vote . I could be wrong. And if a ETA is £16 , I don’t see the issue .

I find it inconceivable that people who have lived abroad for 50 years can still vote.
Why?
Do you want to keep the country as it was 50 years ago?
If so then why did you leave?Or do you want your version of the country to become reality ,despite the fact that unless you actually live here you have no concept of the reality,
I am no fan of Starmer but even so I would never want a return of the tories under any circumstances .
They made such a mess of everything during the 14 years they were in power.
Do the rest of us a favour and use your vote in the country where you live!

J52 Exactly!

I too wanted to know for family members... This is what I found.

Important extra step (new rule)
Australians now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling for tourism or short visits.
It’s quick and online, but it is required.
❌ You cannot enter as a tourist if:
You are still legally a British citizen, even if:
Your UK passport is expired
You “stopped using it”
You only travel on your Australian passport.
So if you are still a British Citizen, that's basically why.

So no different from us travelling to other countries, that requires the correct paperwork.

Allira

Doodledog

How is it legal for people who don't live here to vote here? If they've lived abroad for years they can only have a partial understanding of the way the country currently works, and as has been said, don't have to live with the consequences of their vote anyway.

I'm not sure I even agree with the idea of dual citizenship. Maybe temporary emigrants/immigrants should keep the citizenship of their home country (as most do), and if/when they become long-term residents they should choose where their loyalties lie. I could be persuaded otherwise, though - it's not something I've thought about much, and it may be more complex than that.

I think you can for up to 15 years after leaving, possibly because you are overseas with work and you might come back again.

Thanks. That makes sense, but if someone has taken out another country's citizenship they (presumably) aren't planning to return?

I remember when my children were students they both felt that they shouldn't vote where they were living, as they didn't intend to stay after they graduated (this was in the UK). They did in the end, as they got jobs local to their respective universities, but they felt it was wrong in principle, and I agreed with them that people should only vote if they know they will be impacted by the result. They voted in their home constituency until they were settled elsewhere.

It doesn't feel right that someone who has not lived in the UK for years should have a say in how residents of the country are governed.

Visgirl, because I was born in the UK but took out Canadian citizenship when I emigrated,am I still considered to be a British citizen?

The fifteen year rule ended and Boris Johnson introduced the right to vote for UK citizens abroad. It is common practice in many countries; the French abroad retain the right to vote and have a deputé to represent them.
My son will have to use his Spanish passport to leave and enter Spain and get a new UK one to enter and leave the UK. My DiL and grandchildren will use their Spanish ones, they do not have UK citizenship.

keepingquiet, maybe that explains why Posters who don't actually live in Britain keep saying how awful it is to live here.
The power of biased MSM.

Maremia

keepingquiet, maybe that explains why Posters who don't actually live in Britain keep saying how awful it is to live here.
The power of biased MSM.

Actually I don't and never have. When you have close ties with family and friends across the country you base what you know on their lives not rubbish from MSM.
However after 20 years in France we are moving back to England at the end of the month. I will let you know what I find different. It is only 100 miles away.

Its a strange thing, that living abroad you can take yourself out of Britain but you can't take being British out of yourself. Its something to do with provenance.
I've been there. It took me a bit to realise that I couldn't be in both systems or have a foot in both countries, but all you can do is to go by the rules.

It is only 100 miles away.
But a world apart!
Bon courage with your move.

MartavTaurus

^It is only 100 miles away.^
But a world apart!
Bon courage with your move.

Thank you. The detailed inventory of everything you possess for UK customs is a post Brexit joy (not).

Allira

Doodledog

How is it legal for people who don't live here to vote here? If they've lived abroad for years they can only have a partial understanding of the way the country currently works, and as has been said, don't have to live with the consequences of their vote anyway.

I'm not sure I even agree with the idea of dual citizenship. Maybe temporary emigrants/immigrants should keep the citizenship of their home country (as most do), and if/when they become long-term residents they should choose where their loyalties lie. I could be persuaded otherwise, though - it's not something I've thought about much, and it may be more complex than that.

I think you can for up to 15 years after leaving, possibly because you are overseas with work and you might come back again.

You still can have British citizenship and a British passport if you live in another country.
Not everyone moves overseas permanently anyway.

Mamie

The fifteen year rule ended and Boris Johnson introduced the right to vote for UK citizens abroad. It is common practice in many countries; the French abroad retain the right to vote and have a deputé to represent them.
My son will have to use his Spanish passport to leave and enter Spain and get a new UK one to enter and leave the UK. My DiL and grandchildren will use their Spanish ones, they do not have UK citizenship.

Oh, ok, thanks Mamie

Thanks. That makes sense, but if someone has taken out another country's citizenship they (presumably) aren't planning to return?

They might, you never know.

It's easier to take out eg Australian citizenship if you marry an Australian and then have children, but if you want to travel regularly regularly to and from the UK to visit family best to have dual nationality for yourself and to apply for if fir your children too.

If you decided to spend half your time in each country, as one of my relatives does, best to have dual nationality.

Excuse typos!

BlueBelle

I dont think anyone is getting Nana8s anger
The rules for Uk have changed and she can no longer get into Uk on her Australian passport alone

I was reading it as "But I AM British" (ie got a English/Welsh/Scottish/N. Irish father and ditto mother) and so "Why do I have to pay to come back to my own country?"

I may be wrong and she was born here but her parents arent British.

But that's how it came over to me as "But I AM British....it's my own country and I can come back any time I please...".

So if her mother and father are both Australian for instance - but they were on holiday here or something at the time she was born I guess she'd look at it differently. Hence I think this is "But I AM British - it is my country" and I'd be feeling rather annoyed myself if that was the lines I was thinking along - ie "Why am I being charged to come into my own country?"

It doesn't feel right that someone who has not lived in the UK for years should have a say in how residents of the country are governed.

Mine don't vote, Doodledog

Apparently if I want to visit the uk for any reason I have to show a uk passport now. I don’t want one
Then stay where you are Nana8 you ve been happy there for 50 years so why get uptight now. We all have to make adjustments and yours were made 50 years ago. Either have two passports like most people living outside their country of origin do , or don’t and face the consequences

As for voting it’s not Starmers fault it would have had to happen whoever was in power I think you ve got totally the wrong end of the stick with your anger.