Tell your French life stories in support of new MPs for British abroad
Unlike France, the UK has no MPs directly representing citizens abroad
Campaigners in the UK are looking to change the rules
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Campaigners are asking to hear the stories of Britons living in France as part of their push to get the UK to create overseas constituencies, similar to the ones France has for its citizens abroad,
Momentum is growing for the campaign, which was launched by UK groups New Europeans UK and Unlock Democracy.
They have now created a web page linking to a petition and to 15 case studies of British citizens who want the UK to bring in overseas constituencies.
It includes a button to submit your answers to a questionnaire for inclusion on the site.
However, so far, they include people from Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malaysia and Thailand – but not France.
They are now appealing for France-based volunteers to come forward.
'Brexit left people disenfranchised'
New Europeans UK’s head of campaigns Else Kvist said: “France is a major European country with a large population of Britons living and working there. And, as can be seen from the number of Britons in France who responded to our recent survey on the postal vote, many of them are very interested and engaged in politics.
“Brexit left many feeling disenfranchised and the general election was their chance to have their say on the many issues in UK politics that also affect Britons abroad.”
The chair of New Europeans UK, Ruvi Ziegler, also made the case for overseas constituencies when an all-party parliamentary group on citizens’ rights, including EU citizens in the UK and Britons in the EU, relaunched in January.
Dr Ziegler said: “In our constituency-based electoral system, overseas constituents’ voices are muted by a weak system of representation in Westminster. They are represented by the MP in an area they may have left decades ago. These MPs are likely to have had little experience of dealing with casework concerning citizens abroad.”
Last year, all adult Britons abroad who have ever lived in the UK gained the right to vote in the country’s general elections and related referendums.
Known as ‘votes for life’, this was a long-standing promise by the Conservative Party.
Neither Conservatives nor Labour officially back overseas constituencies. It is, however, a Liberal Democrat policy.
Unlike the UK, French citizens abroad are represented by 11 MPs for overseas constituencies and 12 senators.
Read more: Letters: Brexit benefits for Britons in France
Case studies from European residents
Among those sending in comments so far were Ruth Duncan, 58, who lives in Lazio, Italy, and Stephan Corsham, 64, from Germany.
Ms Duncan said: “I feel Brits in Europe have entirely been abandoned by the UK political machinery... Overseas constituencies would be helpful to reconnect people to the political system, reignite debate and hopefully provide a reliable pathway to information and advice.”
Mr Corsham said: “The voices, views and input of Brits abroad will give a broader, more truthful picture of our real situation and an insight into life abroad – we don’t all live on the Costa del Sol.”
Read more: Are Britons and Americans still moving to France? Latest data
