British expats have been given a major boost as 3.5 million people living abroad have been added to the UK electoral register and are now eligible to vote following new legislation.
The new law has removed a 15-year time limit on the eligibility of expatriates to vote in UK elections.
The legislation could potentially add an estimated 3.5m people to the electoral register for this year’s general election.
Not only would British expats now be able to vote in the elections, but would also be able to donate to political parties and campaigns.
The new law could impact around 3.5m people
PA
Director of communications at the Electoral Commission Craig Westwood said: "This change gives more British citizens living abroad the opportunity to participate in UK Parliament elections, and to contribute to the funding of political parties and campaigns.
“We know there are eligible voters in every corner of the world so we’re calling on those with friends and family abroad to help spread the news.
"With a general election likely this year, it is important this newly enfranchised group of voters are aware of the change and can take action. Registering to vote can be done online in just five minutes."
Expats will be eligible to vote in the constituency they lived in before they moved abroad, and it will be up to local councils to check their past connection to the area.
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In December the Home Office said it would lift the minimum income requirement for British citizens
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It comes amid concern after the government announced it would tighten rules on bringing foreign spouses to the UK.
In December the Home Office said it would lift the minimum income requirement for British citizens bringing their spouses to the UK from £18,600 to £38,700.
British in Europe, a citizen group which represents 1.2m UK nationals living in mainland Europe, has argued the immigration rule change "effectively strips one of our few remaining citizenship rights, the right to return to live in the UK."
The group is launching a campaign to get UK émigrés to alert MPs to their new electorate.
The group’s co-chair Jane Goulding warned there was a lack of "joined-up thinking” by the UK government in upsetting the British diaspora "just before we were about to be re-enfranchised."
The change is part of the UK Government’s Election Act, passed in 2022.
It is estimated that the abolishment of the 15-year rule could mean 3m more British citizens could be eligible to vote.
