Labour International members are campaigning for representation in Westminster to help tackle issues affecting British citizens abroad.

In January 2024, British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years regained their right to vote. This raised the potential overseas voter base to approximately 3.5 million or more.

However, at present, British citizens are represented by the MP from their last place of residence in the UK, which they may have left 30 or 40 years ago – or sometimes even longer. These MPs rightly are focused on representing the constituents that live in their constituency in the UK. But this means many of our issues, from pensions frozen in countries that do not have a reciprocal social security agreement with Britain, to those studying abroad, to residence rights foreign spouses of Britons, are not prioritised or often even addressed.

Additionally, living abroad, whether for work, personal relationship, or health, does not automatically mean a loss of connection  to one’s roots, or loss of the need to have a voice in governmental policy.

The concept of overseas constituencies is not new. Currently 17 countries around the world, including several European countries, have them established.

The campaign is being overseen by a Strategy Group that meets, via Zoom, every other month on the second Saturday, at 9.30 a.m. Pacific Time.. More information can be obtained from one of the Co-Leads, Michael Aidan, at TULO@labourinternational.net.

We encourage our members and indeed all UK Labour members to email their MP, and to support the legislation called for in  our motion, and urge their branch to support our motion, which you can find below

While the CLP’s focus has to be within the Labour Party, there are several other groups of overseas residents who support the same cause and, since the ultimate change in the law will impact all citizens, regardless of political beliefs, we are working, amicably with them. They include: Unlock Democracy, New Europeans UK and the British Overseas Voters Forum.

CLP Motion

In 2021 approximately 5.5 million Britons were living overseas.

In 2024 Britons living abroad longer than 15 years regained the right to vote in Parliamentary elections, a right afforded to overseas citizens by many democratic countries throughout the world.

French citizens living abroad can elect 11 representatives to the French National Assembly.

Italy has representation for overseas citizens, who can elect 12 deputies and 6 senators to represent them.

Mexico has a system that allows Mexican citizens living abroad to vote for representatives in the Mexican Congress.

Britons who leave their homeland face unique challenges.  If they worked less than ten years, they do not receive any pension, unless they live in a country that has a reciprocal Social Security agreement with the U.K.

Britons living overseas in countries without such an agreement with the U.K. have their pensions frozen, as they are no longer adjusted for inflation.

Conference therefore resolves:

To consult with Labour’s Partner Parties in the aforementioned countries to gain knowledge and understanding of how such a democratic right can be developed for Britons.

To coordinate with the Labour International CLP in developing a mechanism to ensure Parliamentary representation for 5.5 million overseas citizens.

To establish a cross-party consultation body to develop legislation to create this democratic right.

To ensure a Labour government commits to introducing legislation guaranteeing British citizens overseas the same democratic voice as those living in the UK.