Thank you for contacting me about overseas voters.
I appreciate that most British citizens living overseas maintain deep ties to the UK and, of course, some will return to live here.
Overseas voters are important to our electorate and our wider democracy. As British citizens who are directly impacted by decisions made in Parliament, it is vital that their enfranchisement is protected and valued by the Government.
Unfortunately, as you say, many overseas electors are experiencing a democratic deficit. That is why it should be made easier to register to vote as an overseas elector. This was well evidenced in the 2024 General Election, when just 52 per cent of overseas postal ballots were returned in time to be counted, and the return rate in Australia was a mere 6 per cent, as highlighted in an Electoral Commission report.
It is vital that work is done to boost participation rates for overseas electors, which remains too low. This is why I supported the last Government's decision to remove the arbitrary 15-year limit on the ability of overseas electors to vote in UK Parliamentary elections, which came into force on 16 January 2024.
Whilst I support the overarching aims of NC19, I believe that the amendment has specific flaws that need to be examined in greater detail.
Thank you again for contacting me.
