Votes for Life – Improving Representation for Brits Abroad

Votes for Life – Improving Representation for Brits Abroad

Apr 1, 2026 | News, Votes for Life

Votes for Life – Improving representation for Brits abroad

Throughout its history, Bremain has been dedicated to improving the democratic representation of all UK nationals living abroad. For many years, British citizens who had been living outside of the UK for more than 15 years lost their right to vote in UK elections.

Alongside campaigners across the UK and Europe, Bremain worked tirelessly for the reinstatement our democratic voting rights, including working closely with seasoned campaigner, Harry Shindler OBE.

Thankfully, in April 2022, our full voting rights were restored by the Elections Act and millions of overseas voters were once again able to register to vote in UK general elections from January 2024.

In an effort to continue to improve representation for Brits abroad, our Votes for Life campaign is now focused on two areas:

Overseas Constituencies

Working with Unlock Democracy and New Europeans, Bremain continues to campaign for overseas constituencies and dedicated MPs that understand the issues we face as UK nationals living abroad. (You can read more about this campaign by scrolling down this page to the Update on 19 February 2025).

We will be closely watching the progress of the Elections Bill – officially known as the Representation of the People Bill – regarding any developments that have a bearing on our rights.

UK nationals abroad voter registration

Having fought so hard for the restoration of our voting rights, the number of UK nationals that took advantage of the change in the law was very disappointing. To ensure that more people register ahead of the next general election, we have put together a guide to the process.

Please don’t wait until an election is announced to register as you may run out of time.

Register now and get the ball rolling. It’s your democratic right to vote – use it!

Register to Vote

Votes for Life – Overseas Constituencies

Update 01 April 2026

 

Liberal Democrat MP for Henley & Thames, Freddie van Mierlo, has submitted an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, commonly referred to as the Elections Bill. 

The amendment moves that the following clause – Overseas electors: Review of feasibility of proposals for facilitating overseas ballots – be considered by parliament. 

It includes recommendations that within 6 months of the passing of the Act, the Secretary of State publish and lay before parliament “a report on proposals for facilitating overseas electors to vote in parliamentary elections”. Those proposals include the use of British Embassies for polling, digital transmission and printing of ballot papers, plus further suggestions that would improve voting for UK nationals abroad, & hopefully encourage more to participate in general elections.

You can read the amendment in full here

In addition, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, Steve Reed, has agreed to a meeting with van Mierlo to discuss the matter in greater detail. 

You can watch Freddie’s presentation to the House of Commons here

VOTES FOR LIFE – Campaign History & Background

Update 03 August 2025
Proxy Vote

Improving registration for overseas voters

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is developing a new service to enable Britons voting in UK elections from abroad to renew their voter registration digitally.

To ensure user satisfaction, and identify any possible improvements to the system, a trial has been conducted across a number of constituencies, with over 1000 responses. To date, over 90% of those taking part have expressed their satisfaction, and an independent auditor has rated the service of ‘high standard’ for use by those with disabilities.

This new service will be available to overseas voters in 2026.

 

Update 19 Feb 2025
Proxy Vote

CAMPAIGN FOR OVERSEAS CONSTITUENCIES

In conjunction with New Europeans, Unlock Democracy and other campaign groups – and following the return of our democratic voting rights – Bremain is campaigning for dedicated MPs to represent Britons living abroad.

On January 15 2025, our chair Sue Wilson attended the Citizens’ Rights APPG in Westminster to discuss the Overseas Constituencies campaign with parliamentarians. Since then a parliamentary briefing has been sent out to all MPs and peers outlining the rationale for Overseas Constituencies.

We would like to acknowledge the role of the Bremain Lobby Team in extensively lobbying parliament in this regard. Thank you!

 

The rationale for dedicated MPs for Brits abroad

  • UK based constituency MPs understand little of the issues faced by Britons living abroad, and quite naturally focus their attention on local constituency matters
  • Britons abroad are more likely to be engaged with national UK matters than with constituency-specific issues
  • Dedicated representation by MPs who understand the issues would ensure the voices of overseas voters would be heard
  • Better representation would likely result in increased numbers of Britons abroad registering to vote in the UK
  • At least 17 countries – including EU countries such as France, Italy, Croatia, Romania and Portugal – already have fully functioning overseas constituencies
Update 23 May 2024
Proxy Vote
The Prime Minister has announced a General Election scheduled for Thursday 4 July, just 6 weeks away.

If you have yet to register to vote, you will need to act quickly, as the deadline for the receipt of registration applications is Tuesday 18 June – 12 working days before the poll. As applications in some constituencies are taking up to 4 weeks, please act now to avoid disappointment.

You can Register to Vote online – the process is simple & straightforward & should only take 5 minutes.

We strongly recommend using a proxy if you are unable to vote in person. Applications for a proxy vote close on Wednesday 26 June (6 working days before the poll). You can apply online or by post but you must be registered to vote before starting the process.

For further details re the requirements for registration & proxy voting, please read on.

We’ve waited long enough for the return of our democratic voting rights, so act now & make your vote count!

Update 24 March 2024
Proxy Vote

Voting by Proxy

Now our voting rights have been restored, it’s time to consider how to cast your vote as a British citizen abroad.

If you are unable to vote in person in the UK, then we strongly recommend voting by proxy as postal voting has proved very unreliable in the past & your vote may not arrive in time to be counted.

 

How to apply & what you need

Once you have registered to vote, there are 2 ways to apply for a proxy – online or by post.

Before you start the process, you will need your:

  1. N.I. number or other ID, e.g. birth certificate
  2. Details of your Proxy: name, address, contact details
  3. Digital signature (a photo)

The government have produced as Easy Read Guide that explains the process in more detail.

 

Who can act as your proxy?

You need to appoint someone you trust to act as your proxy who is:

  1. 18 years or over
  2. Registered & eligible to vote

Further information is available from the Electoral Commission: How to vote by proxy

If you are unable to find a friend or family member to act as your proxy, you can approach your local political party. They have a vested interest in finding someone to act on your behalf.

Important note: If you applied for a proxy vote before 31 October 2023, this expired on 31 January 2024 so you need to apply for a new one.

Tens of thousands of Brits abroad have already registered to vote, according to the government’s Register to Vote Dashboard.

If you are not one of them then please read on for all the relevant information on how & where to register. Please don’t wait until an election is announced as the registration process alone is taking up to 4 weeks in some constituencies.

 

Update 11 January 2024
Since Bremain in Spain’s inception, regaining our right to vote in UK elections has always been a high priority. After years of campaigning, the 15-year rule has now been overturned and our right to vote in UK elections has been re-established, regardless of where we live

Effective from 16 January 2024, you will now be able to register to vote in UK elections, regardless of how long you have lived abroad. British citizens, eligible Irish citizens and citizens of Crown Dependencies can register as overseas voters as long as they:

  • were previously registered to vote in the UK or
  • were previously resident in the UK

Get ready to register

Before starting the process of registration, you will need to have access to proof of your ID and your former UK address.

To prove your ID you will need to provide your National Insurance (NI) number and your date of birth. If you have a British passport (current or expired), you will need to scan it for ID purposes. If you have lost your NI number, you can search for it here

To prove your address you will need to provide documentation containing your full name and address details. Acceptable documentation includes:

  • a UK driving licence (current or expired)
  • correspondence from HMRC or the Dept. for Work and Pensions
  • council tax statement/demand
  • credit card statement
  • utility or mobile phone bill
  • letter from an insurance company
  • P45 or P60 form or payslip
  • bank/building society passbook
  • local authority rent book

 

In the event that you are unable to provide satisfactory evidence of your ID and former UK address, you will have the option of providing an attestation. You will need to ask someone (not a close family member) to attest to the details you provide. Your attestor must be over 18 and registered to vote in the UK, but they do not need to be a UK resident.

 

How to register

You can register to vote from overseas online on the government website here

When applying to register, use the last address where you were registered as a UK resident. If previously registered to vote at more than one UK address, use the most recent address at which you were registered.

Any eligible voters that previously resided in the UK, even as children, but have never been registered to vote, can apply using their last UK address.

Details provided will be verified by local authorities who are responsible for the electoral role in their area.

Once registered to vote, you will need to renew your registration every three years (previously annually), before 1 November.

An easy read guide on the registration process is available here

 

Feedback

We would be very interested to hear about your experiences in registering to vote using the government website. The process will be straightforward for some and more complex for others, but it is important that we understand how it works for you, and any issues that need resolving. Any feedback, good or bad, of your experiences of the registration process can be emailed to us at: enquiries@bremaininspain.com. We will be sure to feed back any issues to the DLUHC and the Electoral Commission in order to improve the process.

 

With a general election looming over the horizon, please do not wait to get yourself on the electoral register. The return of our democratic voting rights has been a long, hard-fought campaign, and the UK has never needed a new government more than it does right now. So, exercise your democratic rights and register to vote now!

 

Useful links

Electoral Commission: Overseas Voters- Resources for British Citizens Overseas

Electoral Commission: FAQs

British Embassy – Living in Spain – Voting

LibDems Abroad: Brits Abroad and Brits Abroad Q&A

British in Europe: Get ready to vote – your FAQs

 

Update 14 December 2023
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has now confirmed the date from which the voting franchise will be extended to all overseas voters.

The “15 year-rule” will effectively be removed – for those previously registered to vote, or previously resident in the UK – as of 16 January 2024, from 12.30 a.m. – via the Register to Vote website.

In the meantime, we recommend that those who are currently disenfranchised from voting start collecting their proof of ID (NI numbers, passports etc) and proof of their last UK address/electoral registration and scan them ready for upload to the government website.

Further detailed instructions on the process, and the acceptable documentation, will be available here nearer the time.

Update 31 October 2023
New arrangements for voting by post and by proxy come into immediate effect as of today. Those already registered to vote in UK elections can now apply online to vote either by post or by proxy.

Once your form has been downloaded and completed, it is then sent off to the Electoral Registration office for England, Scotland or Wales or for Northern Ireland 

If you are living in the UK, you can download the application forms here

For those living abroad, apply online here

If you have not exceeded 15 years abroad, then you can also use the above link to register/re-register to vote. Those that have exceeded the 15 year period should be able to register to vote in January 2024 when the secondary legislation is finalised.

Update 26 October 2023
Progress has now been made regarding the secondary legislation required to further the restoration of our overseas voting rights.

On 23 October, the government published the Statutory Instrument on overseas voting regulations. These now require the approval of parliament before being signed into law, and will be considered by both House of Commons and House of Lords committees. The process usually takes no more than 8 weeks, so is expected to be finalised by early January 2024.

The next step will then be registration for disenfranchised overseas voters, likely to start before the end of January, as scheduled.

Update 9 October 2023
Following our latest discussion with the Head of Secondary Legislation, Registration & Franchise Division, at the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, we are pleased to be able to confirm the following:

  • The department is still on track to progress the necessary secondary legislation this Autumn
  • The legislation will be laid & debated with the intention that the necessary changes to overseas voting rights come into force in January
  • Voters who are currently eligible can continue to register as usual, and from January onwards
  • Newly eligible voters – that were previously denied a vote under the 15-year rule – will be able to apply to register from January onwards
Update 21 June 2023

Votes for Life – Overseas Electorate Roundtable

On 21 June 2023, Bremain Chair, Sue Wilson, attended a meeting with Baroness Scott of Bybrook, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The online meeting was also attended by officials of the DLUHC Elections Directorate, who Sue had met with earlier this year.

Speaking on behalf of the disenfranchised overseas electorate were representatives from a variety of campaign organisations, including Conservatives Abroad, LibDems Abroad, Labour International and British in Europe.

Secondary legislation

Before parliament can approve the new legislation, there will be a consultation with the Electoral Commission, who will provide further scrutiny of the plans and processes. The expectation remains that the secondary legislation will come into force in January 2024, enabling the registration process to begin.

Registration process

Changes are being made to:

  • ID verification process
  • Franchise criteria
  • Application forms

Each change is aimed at making the process easier and quicker for existing and new overseas voters, and to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. These changes will apply to all UK parliamentary elections, including any bi-elections.

Renewals & Absentees

When re-registering to vote (every 3 years in future, rather than every year as at present), the process will allow for concurrent re-registration for proxy or postal voting. A reminder will be issued in advance to those already on the electoral register, and a new “light-touch” renewal declaration will speed up the process.

A new process for postal/proxy voting applications will be available online. For postal voting, pre-paid “international business response” envelopes will be supplied by Royal Mail – these envelopes are suitable for all international use and widely recognised abroad.

Following the meeting, Sue said, “it was reassuring to learn that the plans outlined to me in March are progressing well, and the previously quoted timescales still stand. It was a pleasure to meet Baroness Scott and her team who are clearly dedicated, well informed, and efficient. It is clear that all concerns raised by Bremain, and other campaign groups, have been listened to and acted upon. Restoration of our democratic votes rights is now well under way.”

A further roundtable meeting will be held in the Autumn.

For further information, read the earlier updates or visit the government website: Overseas electors: Delivering ‘votes for life’ for British expatriates

 

 

 

 

Update 23 March 2023
On 23 March 2023, Bremain Chair Sue Wilson attended a meeting at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to discuss the restoration of full democratic voting rights to Britons living abroad.

The meeting was with officials from Elections Directorate at the DLUHC in Westminster.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the next steps, the process and to establish the timescale. This is what we learned ……….

Secondary legislation

In order to restore full voting rights following the passing of the Elections Act by Parliament, secondary legislation will be necessary.

This will take place in the Autumn session of parliament 2023 with the intention of delivering ‘votes for life’ ahead of the next General Election. The secondary legislation to deliver the overseas electors change is expected to be made and come into force in January 2024.

Improvements to the registration process

To facilitate voting arrangements, the process of registration will be made simpler, and the frequency of re-registration will be extended from 1 year to (up to) 3 years. An online registration service will be complemented by the introduction of an online absent vote (postal or proxy) application process.

As soon as the changes come into force, newly enfranchised electors will be able to apply to register to vote. We will then be encouraging our members to act quickly, rather than wait until an election is announced.

The franchise of eligible voters will be extended to include all of the following British citizens, regardless of how long they have been living abroad:

  • those previously registered to vote in the UK
  • those previously resident in the UK

In addition, those that left the UK before they were old enough to register to vote will no longer have to rely on the registration status of their parents/guardians.

 

The verification process

The process will require the verification of both personal identity and a previous UK address.

Regarding identity verification, this could be established, as now, via a check of applicants’ details (including NI number) against DWP records, or if that is not possible, via documentary evidence, such as a UK passport. Failing that, an attestation (a declaration that certain facts are true) from a suitably qualified elector (not a close family member) would be acceptable.

Re address verification, if it is not possible for an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to verify an address by a register check, other options will be available, such as documentary evidence from a bank, building society, utility company, tax office or a variety of other organisations. A full list is available online (see below). Failing that, an attestation – as with ID verification – would be acceptable.

Following the meeting, Sue said, “I came away from the meeting impressed with the level of detail provided, the comprehensive nature of the planning and preparation, and the understanding of the issues we face as overseas voters. I was impressed with the knowledge and abilities of the people I met and with their willingness to engage with us and to listen to our concerns. Now, bring on the next election, but not before next spring, please!”

For further information, go to the government website: Overseas electors: Delivering ‘votes for life’ for British expatriates

 

Update 28 April 2022
The Elections Act has received Royal Assent and has now become law. It will allow British citizens abroad to vote in UK elections, by removing the 15-year limit. It will also extend the annual re-registration requirements to just once every three years.

In response to an enquiry regarding overseas voters’ measures in the Elections Act, the Electoral Commission said, “The Government has not yet made the legislation necessary to bring these changes into force, and we do not expect them to come into force before summer 2023. More detail on the implementation of these measures is expected to come from the government in the coming months.”

You can read the Government’s announcement re the passing of the Elections Act here

You can read an article written by Bremain Chair, Sue Wilson, on the passing of the Elections Act here

Update 01 Oct 2021
Our campaign for the restoration of our voting rights, and the scrapping of the arbitrary 15-year rule, moved a little closer to fruition this month. The controversial Elections Bill, which includes the government’s manifesto promise to restore our voting privileges, has made some progress through parliament. On 7 September, the bill passed the Second Reading in the House of Commons.

On 22 September, the Committee stage began, and is scheduled to continue on 19 October. You can watch the latest proceedings on Parliament TV here.

In tandem with the passage of the bill through the Commons, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) started its Elections Bill Inquiry. Many campaign groups submitted evidence to the committee, Bremain included.

We asked our members why their vote was important to them and used many of your testimonies in our report. Many thanks to all those that contributed. You can read about our presentation of evidence to the committee here, in an article by our Chair, Sue Wilson.  To read our evidence report in full, click here

Update 28 July 2021
The date for the second reading of the Elections Bill has been announced as 7 September, at 12.40 BST.

The second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the general principles of the Bill. At the end of the debate, MPs will vote on whether they think the Bill should proceed to the next stage – the Committee Stage.

You can follow the progress of the Bill here

You can watch the debate live on Parliament TV, or watch a recording after the event here

Update 27 July 2021
On 26 July, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) announced a new enquiry into the controversial Elections Bill.

The bill includes government plans to introduce voter ID at polling stations, the aim being to “protect the integrity of elections”. However, many campaigners have argued that election fraud is extremely rare, and the bill is a solution to a problem that does not exist.

Committee Chair William Wragg said:

 

“These proposals make significant changes to the implementation of and potentially participation in elections. It’s natural that they are properly interrogated and claims by the Government that the plans would protect our democracy are tested before implementation. Although few would argue against shoring-up our electoral system in principle, it’s critical to ensure that it is done correctly, that it is fair, and that it is necessary to do so.”
Of course, the bill also includes the long-awaited restoration of democratic voting rights for Britons living abroad, affected by the arbitrary 15-year rule. We are encouraging our members to write to their MPs with their views on the Elections Bill – good and bad – and we will be presenting evidence to the committee in due course.

You can read more about the proposed enquiry here

You can read more about PACAC here

If you wish to submit evidence to the committee, you can do so here. The deadline is 31 August 2021.

Update 21 July 2021
Veteran campaigner, Harry Shindler OBE, has been fighting for the restoration of our democratic voting rights for 25 years.
On 17th July 2021, he celebrated his 100th birthday. Bremain could not let this occasion pass un-noticed, so we asked our members and other campaign groups to join us in sharing our good wishes.

Bremain members contributed to our birthday book. You can view the book & read our members’ comments here

Campaign groups across the UK & the EU contributed to our dedicated video, which you can view here

We wish Harry a very happy birthday, & many more to come.

Update 07 July 2021
On 5 July 2021, the government bill set to restore our democratic voting rights was finally brought before parliament. A government press release stated that the new legislation was designed “to strengthen the integrity of UK elections and protect our democracy”, and included this aim:

“To increase participation in our democracy, the Bill will deliver the longstanding commitment to remove the arbitrary 15 year limit on overseas electors voting in UK Parliamentary general elections.”

The Elections Bill is proving controversial, though not because of the scrapping of the 15-year voting rule. The cause for concern is the planned introduction of voter ID, which threatens to disenfranchise many further voters, and is regarded by many as undemocratic and unnecessary.

Bremain will be following the passage of the new bill with great interest, and will provide regular updates.

More information on the Elections Bill is available on the official government website here.

You can also access updates on the Parliament website here, including the latest government publications and details of the bill’s progress. The government describe the bill thus:
“A Bill to make provision about the administration and conduct of elections, including provision designed to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process; about overseas electors; about voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens; about the designation of a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission; about the membership of the Speaker’s Committee; about the Electoral Commission’s functions in relation to criminal proceedings; about financial information to be provided by a political party on applying for registration; for preventing a person being registered as a political party and being a recognised non-party campaigner at the same time; about regulation of expenditure for political purposes; about disqualification of offenders for holding elective offices; about information to be included in electronic campaigning material; and for connected purposes.”
For further information:

Read the Elections Bill in full here 

Read the Explanatory Notes here 

Read the Elections Bill Impact Assessment here

Update 27 May 2021
The government officially announced today that British citizens who have moved abroad will be given ‘votes for life’ as the UK Government scraps the arbitrary 15-year limit on the voting rights. All British citizens who are living overseas who have been previously registered or previously resident in the UK will be able to vote in UK Parliamentary General Elections. In addition, the new rules will mean overseas electors can stay registered for longer requiring them to renew their registration details once every three years, rather than annually.

Overseas electors will also be able to reapply for a postal vote or refresh their proxy vote at the same time as renewing their voter registration, streamlining the process and helping to ensure they have appropriate voting arrangements in place ahead of an election. These changes, which will form part of the Elections Bill will come into effect in time for the next scheduled General Election in 2024.

Update 12 May 2021
Since the 2010 General Election and each subsequent election, the Conservative party have pledged to repeal the fifteen year rule and provision was made in this year’s Budget in March.

In yesterday’s Queen’s Speech, as part of the Electoral Integrity Bill, the commitment to remove the fifteen year rule was announced.

Update 4 March 2021
After months of inactivity, it seems the British government’s manifesto commitment – to scrap the 15-year rule – is finally taking a step forward.

The Electoral Integrity Bill – which includes the restoration of the democratic voting rights of millions of Brits abroad – will form part of this spring’s Queen’s Speech.

There was further good news in the Budget yesterday. If you look closely at the small print on page 48, you will find reference to additional funds set aside expressly for the purpose of securing our #VotesForLife

2.41 Overseas Electors – The government is providing an additional £2.5 million to remove
the limit preventing British citizens who live overseas from voting after 15 years.

You can read an article by Sue Wilson about the bill in the Yorkshire Bylines here
Bremainers Ask…… Farrukh Younus

Bremainers Ask…… Farrukh Younus

Mar 31, 2026 | Bremainers Ask, News

With a background in mobile phone strategy across Europe and Asia, Farrukh is dedicated to understanding and delivering solutions based on new technology. He regularly attends industry-leading conferences and has spoken on the subject to the EU in Brussels. 

Farrukh currently runs a video platform, Implausibleblog, delivering lifestyle content via social media, focusing on understanding consumer behaviour with regards to digital content and digital advertising. He is a regular commentator on the political landscape, having generated over 1.6 billion impressions on Twitter/X.

Lisa Burton : You have always been very outspoken on Brexit. Has it had any direct or personal effect on your life or profession?

At first, Brexit didn’t affect me directly: it was more an ideological frustration. It never made sense to me to limit our ability to live, work, and study on the continent we’re part of, or to isolate ourselves from our nearest neighbours.

But as I became more vocal online, some brands chose not to work with us. Implausibleblog used to be just lifestyle fun: food, fashion, travel and tech. The addition of news has changed our dynamic and increased our reach such that we get in a day what we used to get in a month, in terms of impressions and engagement. The Highlights tab on Twitter helps us show some of our non-news content. 

That was initially disappointing and even a little disheartening. I understand brands want to stay politically neutral, but staying silent is exactly what helped deliver Brexit in the first place. So, I made a personal vow: as long as I have the platform, I’ll continue expressing my views, because without voices like these, we risk ending up in an even worse situation.

Interestingly, some staff at the very brands that cut ties would privately tell me they appreciated my honesty, liking and engaging with my political content in private. I also see the same frustration in many people, but they feel unable to express it publicly. Having made the decision to speak out, I find myself considerably more at peace.

It feels strange to live in a time where speaking sincerely is more of a luxury than a right freely exercised by many. We can communicate instantly across the globe, yet doing so effectively and honestly remains difficult. Navigating brand neutrality in a corporate-driven world is a challenge, but thankfully some, like Lush, take a more direct approach. It gives hope that, one day, others may follow suit. How bad does it have to get before people are willing to speak out?

On a lighter note, I have many friends across Western Europe, and I’m grateful that, at least for now, Brexit hasn’t curtailed my ability to travel and visit them.

 

Valerie Chaplin : What do you think re the current state of the Government and do you think the UK will rejoin the EU?

The Government seems lost and confused, desperate to deliver growth while fully aware that Brexit is holding the UK back yet pressing ahead regardless. After the chaos and ideological excess of Johnson, Farage, and others, we’ve entered a new phase where even pro-European voices feel powerless to pull the UK closer to the EU.

Even small, sensible measures, like regulatory alignment, provoke outrage from Brexit hardliners. Labour risks abuse and accusations of ‘betrayal’ no matter what it does, so if it’s going to act, it might as well commit fully rather than tiptoe around it.

I don’t see Keir Starmer steering the UK back into the EU anytime soon. His reluctance to challenge populist misinformation or confront the far right reinforces the perception that Labour lacks the courage to lead on this issue. While there are voices within the party advocating closer ties with Europe, they remain marginal, on the fringes rather than shaping meaningful policy.

It was refreshing to hear Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recently call for joining a Customs Union and the EU Single Market before the end of this parliament, framing the next election as a de facto vote on EU re-entry. Given Labour’s 15 major u-turns since taking office, this may be their only path to a second term. Yet Starmer’s leadership has often been a letdown, so one can only hope Labour appoints someone stronger to guide the nation into the election.

 

Steven Wilson : Spain has been at the forefront of criticism of Israel & the US. Do you expect others, including the EU itself, to voice similar opposition?

Pedro Sánchez has shown that it’s possible for a liberal democracy to uphold its values without being subjugated to another nation’s folly, especially when military action violates international law.

We see occasional sparks of dissent across Europe, but not enough momentum. Europe and the US share much culturally and democratically, it’s like we’re cousins. While there are differences, from climate policy to food standards, common ground remains. Yet I don’t see enough European voices speaking up right now. Until we apply fairness equally and have the courage to call out our allies when they act wrongly, little will change.

A stark illustration of this is the recent interview between The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Beddoes and Tucker Carlson. I used to be a fan of the publication, critical of Carlson. Today, it feels reversed, Carlson spoke with more moral clarity than Beddoes. It’s a new, upside-down norm we must navigate. What’s missing is a collective European political response to these crises. We saw one approach to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and a very different one to Israel’s strikes on Gaza. Now, as war with Iran grows unpopular across Europe, meaningful criticism is still lacking.

I don’t want fewer ties between the UK, EU, and US. I want better standards, objectives, and a collective approach to peace and stability. Diplomacy shouldn’t disguise rightful criticism; otherwise, the public is left frustrated with weak, vague statements from politicians.

 

Anon : Should the King’s state visit to the US be cancelled?

In my view, yes. It’s hard to see how he could attend in good conscience while the US is flouting international norms, and President Trump is actively trolling our Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. Even if I’m no longer a fan, he’s still the UK’s PM.

How can we persuade the Government that mimicking far-right immigration policies is doing more harm than good, not least to themselves?

Labour has entered office with good ideas, but poor planning and delivery have forced repeated U-turns. Pension means-testing was set too low, the two-child benefit cap flip-flop exposed contradictions, and MPs were suspended for supporting policies the Government now celebrates.

Worse, in trying to appeal to the public, Labour has abandoned its values on immigration. Instead of promoting the benefits immigrants bring, as Canada’s Mark Carney has done gracefully, Labour is echoing hardline, far-right talking points. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration stance, now backed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, is a glaring sign of how wrong the approach has gone.

This is a tone problem from the top. Starmer has chosen the easy path: mimic the Conservatives and Reform UK to appeal to a disenfranchised audience, rather than explain why a fair, progressive immigration policy benefits the country. In doing so, he alienates the left and centre, and fails to unify the wider public.

After 14 years of Conservative chaos, we deserved stability, integrity, and decency. Instead, Starmer has repeatedly abandoned those principles for short-term political gain. Unless Labour finds a new direction, I don’t see the party recovering under his leadership.

Sue Scarrott : With so many pressing matters needing Government attention, such as Brexit, cost-of-living, privatised water scandals, state of the NHS/Care sector, FPTP voting system etc, what should be the Government’s main priorities?

Nobody expected Labour to fix 14 years of austerity and division overnight, real repair will take time. In a crisis, good leadership first rallies people, sets a bold tone and direction, then methodically tackles issues.

Labour has fallen short here: messaging has been weak and inconsistent, and “growing the economy while making Brexit work” feels contradictory and uninspiring. Gaslighting the nation that post Brexit trade deals make up for the loss in GDP from being in the EU really is insulting.

Labour’s policies often seem driven by fear rather than ambition. Labour scaled back its strong green industrial revolution over bond-market fears, yet clear communication of its benefits (jobs, cheaper energy, security) might have won support for the investment.

The top priority must be genuine vision and ambition: end defensive spin, reject narrow interests, and lead with strong principles. Why, for example, no full ban on offshore donations? Because Labour themselves have received millions in donations from off-shore firms. Labour can’t fix the broken system if they themselves are exploiting it.

Principles first, then sharper, positive messaging. Traditional media will criticise anyway, but bolder choices would gain huge backing from online and new media. I’d love something positive to tweet about, not immigration policies so awful they’re endorsed by Kemi Badenoch.

20 months after the landslide, it’s odd to say, but Labour’s priority needs to be a clearer vision and better execution. The 15 major U-turns reflect poor delivery, not necessarily bad ideas. If the winter fuel allowance cap was set higher, it could very well have been a Labour success story right now. 

People want to recapture that electric election-night energy, the surge of hope, the bold momentum to rebuild Britain after years of stagnation. Instead, the Government under Starmer and Reeves has settled into a cautious, low-momentum style that’s increasingly reminiscent of Harry Enfield’s Kevin the Teenager: sulky, defensive, moaning “it’s so unfair!” at every challenge, lacking the drive and spark that once inspired voters.

 

Matt Burton : You have over 120,000 followers on X. Have you seen your engagement drop or rise since Elon Musk took over?

I began posting political content before Musk’s takeover, and I haven’t noticed any major change in overall reach: the more followers I gain, the greater the potential visibility. What I have observed, however, is that follower count isn’t as crucial as posting frequency. That said, having more people see a post initially does help amplify its reach.

One thing that can be disheartening is seeing a post receive 10,000 likes while another, equally valid post, gets only 50. Often, reach isn’t determined by content quality, which can be frustrating, especially for videos that take far more time and effort. But this is a common experience across social media, not just X.

Recently, I’ve noticed a platform-driven change. According to Grok, it was introduced in January 2026, but I only really noticed it in March. Now, if I like posts about flowers, I start seeing more flower content; if I like posts about food, I see more food. It’s reminiscent of X’s early days when it was old-school Twitter, and it’s refreshing to see how quickly the algorithm can respond to what you actually want to see, almost in real time.

What all of this really shows is that it’s not the content itself but the platform that determines reach, scale, and visibility. We’ve shifted from a culture of sharing and expressing views freely to one where some content is amplified, some is limited, and some lands somewhere in between. As a result, content is often shaped to fit perceived algorithmic preferences rather than simply reflecting what you want to say. And it doesn’t help that most social platforms operate the same way. They are designed to capture attention and spark engagement, which is a curious way of conditioning human interaction.

 

David Eldridge : Can Starmer survive?

At a time when the UK is being drawn into conflict with Iran, even as Labour insists it is not engaging in an offensive role, Keir Starmer appears far more level-headed than any of the Conservatives. Yet it is frustrating to hear the repeated line of “defensive, not offensive,” when UK bases are being used to arm bombers, and we know strikes are occurring in Iran. What began as a commendable stance of standing up to Trump and avoiding entanglement now seems undermined, with the country being pulled in from the sidelines.

On the question of Starmer’s survival as Labour leader, the initial optimism has given way to concern. His response to the Farage riots was promising, but subsequent actions suggest a decline: from the “island of strangers” remarks, to publicly calling for the resignation of the former West Midlands chief constable over a misjudgement, despite having made his own far greater error by ignoring advice and appointing Peter Mandelson anyway.

Starmer, Yvette Cooper, and Shabana Mahmood were all impressive in opposition. But in office, they have changed. Mahmood has taken a hardline stance on immigration and asylum, aligned with Kemi Badenoch’s approach. Cooper endorsed proscribing a group later deemed lawful by the UK High Court. And Starmer jumped on the antisemitism bandwagon over the Maccabi fan ban, unable to distinguish between public safety and antisemitism, despite the Green Party leader, who is Jewish, stating it was not antisemitic.

Can Starmer survive? Perhaps. Many Labour voters demonstrate the same loyalty to a leader that Conservatives have long exhibited. In an ideal world, leaders would be held to the same scrutiny as opposition figures. But British politics is increasingly driven by loyalty, regardless of actions or errors. That’s why Boris Johnson survived for so long, and why Starmer might as well. 20 months after the landslide, it’s odd to say, but Labour’s priority needs to be a clearer vision and better execution. The 15 major U-turns reflect poor delivery, not necessarily bad ideas. If the winter fuel allowance cap was set higher, it could very well have been a Labour success story right now. 

People want to recapture that electric election-night energy, the surge of hope, the bold momentum to rebuild Britain after years of stagnation. Instead, the Government under Starmer and Reeves has settled into a cautious, low-momentum style that’s increasingly reminiscent of Harry Enfield’s Kevin the Teenager: sulky, defensive, moaning “it’s so unfair!” at every challenge, lacking the drive and spark that once inspired voters.

 

Coming next month … Professor Christina Pagel

Christina is professor of operational research at University College London, using mathematical tools to support delivery of health services. She is also President Elect of the UK Operational Research Society and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Since January 2025, she has been tracking the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration (trumptractiontracker.info) and writing about their implications for the US and internationally.

Christina is passionate about healthcare and defending liberal democracy and is a regular commentator on social media, with 66k followers on Bluesky and 176.5K followers on X.

If you would like to submit a question(s) for Christina for consideration, please email us no later than noon on Wednesday 8 April.

 

Banknote redesign has the usual suspects in a a flap

Banknote redesign has the usual suspects in a a flap

Mar 19, 2026 | Bylines, News

The Bank of England’s proposals to feature wildlife on banknotes have been met with dismay in some quarters, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. 

Nigel Farage is outraged! The cause of his latest indignation? A decision by the “PC mad, loony” Bank of England (BoE) to remove historical figures from British banknotes, replacing them with British wildlife. A decision, Farage claims, that is the very “definition of woke”.

i, for one, am delighted that we finally have a definition of “woke”

[image or embed]

— shardcore (@shardcore.org) 12 March 2026 at 09:23

Fisticuffs over a fiver

Farage’s focus thus far has been on the proposed removal of Winston Churchill from the £5 note. Having regularly invoked Churchill in the framing of his own political arguments, he has been known, on occasion, to misrepresent the former prime minister’s views, not least on Europe.

It is unclear whether Farage is equally concerned about the removal of JMW Turner, Jane Austen or Alan Turing, assuming he’s even heard of them. As for Farage’s attitude towards wildlife, his support for fox hunting and badger culling is perhaps all you need to know.

Manufactured outrage

It will come as no surprise that Reform UK Limited has been joined on this particular soapbox by the Tories. Kemi Badenoch described the decision as “deeply depressing that under Labour our national heroes are considered too ‘divisive’ to be on banknotes”, despite the fact that the decision was made by the Bank of England, not the government.

Writing for The Telegraph, former Conservative cabinet minister, Tom Tugendhat described the proposal as telling “a dismal story of national decline”, adding on X that it amounted to “forgetting who we are, what made our country great and who we can become”.

More surprising was to see leader of the LibDems, Ed Davey, also jump on the bandwagon, claiming this was the “worst time to do this”. He obviously hadn’t read the brief explaining that it would be a “few years” before the new notes enter into circulation.

A relatively modern tradition

With so much fuss being made over his replacement, many would be forgiven for thinking that Churchill had featured on a fiver since the second world war. In fact, non-royals have only featured on British banknotes since 1970, and Churchill only for the past 10 years.

Considering how often we hear cries of ‘patriotism’, or lack thereof, from right-wingers, why did we not hear similar protestations when other historic figures – not least Elgar, of Land of Hope and Glory fame – were removed from our currency. As for Darwin, Shakespeare, Dickens, Nightingale and other famous Britons, I suspect they too would fall under Farage’s inaccurate definition of ‘woke’.

The Bank of England has only put non royals on bank notes since 1970.

Farage and Co. losing their minds over a relatively modern tradition.

— Otto English (@ottoenglish.bsky.social) 11 March 2026 at 23:36

The public choice

What has been completely overlooked by the outrage brigade is the background to the decision, and the involvement of the British public. The BoE’s chief cashier confirmed that banknotes are regularly redesigned “to increase counterfeit resilience”, adding that the new proposals were a way to “celebrate different aspects of the UK”.

As to the involvement of the public, a consultation process asked 44,000 people which themes they would like to see on the next banknotes. The outcome was that 60% chose ‘nature’ as one of their preferred options, with ‘architecture and landmarks’ coming a close second with 56%. Some way behind in third place was ‘historical figures’ with 38%, so you could say that Churchill’s removal was the “will of the people”. A small detail that Farage has chosen to overlook.

My humble submission to the new Bank of England with concepts for the new bank notes to please both sides.

[image or embed]

— Tom Wilson (@feedthedrummer.bsky.social) 11 March 2026 at 14:57

The wrong focus

With the wealthy in our country continuing to get richer at the expense of the less well off, if there’s an argument to be had over banknotes, this isn’t it. Farage’s fabricated outrage only serves to stir up discontent, the only thing he’s any good at. It does nothing to solve the problems of those whose only concern regarding British banknotes is whether they’ll have enough of them to pay their bills.

Farage, with his many sources of income and seemingly unlimited expenses and donations, does not have those worries. Nor, it seems, will he ever understand what it feels like to be in that precarious position. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a few banknotes short of a full wallet.

REGISTER TO VOTE

REGISTER TO VOTE

Mar 1, 2026 | News, Votes for Life

A Guide

 

As of 16 January 2024, UK nationals are now able to register to vote in UK elections, regardless of how long they have lived abroad. British citizens, eligible Irish citizens and citizens of Crown Dependencies can register as overseas voters as long as they:

  • were previously registered to vote in the UK or
  • were previously resident in the UK

 

Get ready to register

Before starting the process of registration, you will need to have access to proof of your ID and your former UK address.

To prove your ID you will need to provide your National Insurance (NI) number and your date of birth. If you have a British passport (current or expired), you will need to scan it for ID purposes. If you have lost your NI number, you can search for it here

To prove your address you will need to provide documentation containing your full name and address details. Acceptable documentation includes:

  • a UK driving licence (current or expired)
  • correspondence from HMRC or the Dept. for Work and Pensions
  • council tax statement/demand
  • credit card statement
  • utility or mobile phone bill
  • letter from an insurance company
  • P45 or P60 form or payslip
  • bank/building society passbook
  • local authority rent book

In the event that you are unable to provide satisfactory evidence of your ID and former UK address, you will have the option of providing an attestation. You will need to ask someone (not a close family member) to attest to the details you provide. Your attestor must be over 18 and registered to vote in the UK, but they do not need to be a UK resident.

 

How to register

You can register to vote from overseas online on the government website here

When applying to register, use the last address where you were registered as a UK resident. If previously registered to vote at more than one UK address, use the most recent address at which you were registered.

Any eligible voters that previously resided in the UK, even as children, but have never been registered to vote, can apply using their last UK address.

Details provided will be verified by local authorities who are responsible for the electoral role in their area.

Once registered to vote, you will need to renew your registration every three years (previously annually), before 1 November.

An easy read guide on the registration process is available here

 

Feedback

We would be very interested to hear about your experiences in registering to vote using the government website. The process will be straightforward for some and more complex for others, but it is important that we understand how it works for you, and any issues that need resolving. Please email us with any feedback, good or bad, of your experiences of the registration process. Be assured we will notify the DLUHC and the Electoral Commission regarding any issues, in order to improve the process.

 

Useful links

Electoral Commission: Overseas Voters- Resources for British Citizens Overseas

Electoral Commission: FAQs

British Embassy – Living in Spain – Voting

LibDems Abroad: Brits Abroad and Brits Abroad Q&A

 

 

 

Voting by Proxy
 

If you are unable to vote in person in the UK, then we strongly recommend voting by proxy as postal voting has proved unreliable in the past & your vote may not arrive in time to be counted.

 

How to apply & what you need

Once you have registered to vote, there are 2 ways to apply for a proxy – online or by post.

Before you start the process, you will need your:

  • N.I. number or other ID, e.g. birth certificate
  • Details of your Proxy: name, address, contact details
  • Digital signature (a photo)

The government have produced as Easy Read Guide that explains the process in more detail.

 

Who can act as your proxy?

You need to appoint someone you trust to act as your proxy who is:

  • 18 years or over
  • Registered & eligible to vote

Further information is available from the Electoral Commission: How to vote by proxy.

If you are unable to find a friend or family member to act as your proxy, you can approach your local political party. They have a vested interest in finding someone to act on your behalf.

Why my vote is important to me
Bremainers Ask – David Knopfler

Bremainers Ask – David Knopfler

Feb 27, 2026 | Bremainers Ask, News

Founder and former guitarist of the legendary Dire Straits rock group, David has achieved international stardom and success. Since leaving the band in 1980, David has embarked on a solo career as a singer-songwriter.

David is a regular commentator on politics on Facebook, X, Bluesky and Substack – read his newsletter on ‘Institutional MAGA racism’

 Ruth Woodhouse : You recently referred to the “butterfly effect” and “small acts of resistance” with regard to addressing current ills. In practical terms, how do we employ this approach to fight the ever-rising tide of xenophobia?

You can never know when a small act of resistance makes a substantial difference. My father in 1939 had to get across two borders with no papers. A man with a milk cart and horse, with no reason to help a young stranger, just a small act of grace, decided to risk letting him hide in his cart and got him across one of them. At another he traded a blind eye from a border guard for his watch. Against all odds, he managed to get onto one of the last Kindertransport as a steward, even though officially the kids were unaccompanied. He described his escape to England as “a series of small miracles.” There is no one right or wrong way to unknowingly perform a small miracle. I think perhaps the article you are referring to was about the almost Herculean effort it sometimes takes to not embarrass or humiliate someone with opposing views to you in social media, which tends to amplify biases to create conflict rather than reduce it. Staying true to principles whilst not engaging ego, when addressing someone who might simply be uninformed rather than a card-carrying arsehole who tests patience, is not a trivial thing to hold to. I feel a small sense of failure, not victory, if I have to resort to blocking someone. The resistance there is not to amplify the bias the platform relies on for stickiness but still to insist that truth matters. You can never know the through effect of one thoughtful act or one thoughtful reply. 

 

Valerie Chaplin : Do you think the UK should rejoin the EU and stop pandering to Trump?

There is a lot to unpack here. The man in Dublin asked for directions who started his reply by saying “Well I wouldn’t start from here” knew a lot.

I would of course prefer that we’d never left. Rejoining is extremely complex and would require a series of circumstances in all 27 member countries. The EU now holds a substantially smaller percentage of global trade than it did ten years ago. If the UK were to rejoin it would boost that share by three or four percent and bring the EU within striking distance of matching the US for trade, which is making its own trading position more difficult by Trump’s tariffs and general boorishness on the world stage. There are many compelling arguments for the UK to return to the fold and none from the UK’s perspective for not doing it. 

Historically, not pandering to US Presidents as a UK PM would have been close to unthinkable. Churchill certainly had to, and Blair destroyed his own reputation when siding with Bush Jnr over the so-called “old Europe” that elected not to illegally invade Iraq. It’s not hard to imagine the Daily Mail headline: “Blair destroys the special relationship and our nuclear umbrella.” Starmer is very short on good options too, but yes, in my view, a principled refusal to pander to what looks very much like 21st Century fascism seems necessary. However, he has to consider how best to serve the national interest as he sees fit. I think it’s become very difficult to say that “pandering” is viable any longer. A closer look at Canada’s PM, Carney’s workaround AND realigning with the EU as much as possible would seem existential for both Starmer and the UK. 

 

Steve Wilson : Do you believe Reform have a realistic chance of forming the next government?

Reform is a political party with all its roots in weaponising xenophobia, racism and fear of immigration. They are currently trying to pretend that, rather than the extreme far-right wrecking ball Farage and Faragism has always been, they represent the new centre-right. They don’t, but it’s a public relations adjustment that is working well for them. Currently polling close to 30% across the country, they are certainly a serious political threat to liberal democracy. They would replicate much of what the MAGA movement has done in Minneapolis. 

At present, with our first-past-the-post electoral system, they would be unlikely to procure enough seats to win outright – but they could conceivably still, with alliances, form a government. It is more likely that the Liberal Democrats would hold their noses and ally with Labour to prevent them, but Hitler seized power, in large measure, through the ballot box and then absolute power thereafter. To me, Farage is a substantial risk and all legal efforts should be taken to keep him away from the levers of power while there is still sand in the hourglass. 

 

Juliet Lodge : What can we and musicians do together to advance understanding of Europe?

Musicians in the main have always been good at uniting diverse groups of people. Audiences in the main are little different country to country… some understand lyrics better than others but the transformative experience of “the church of Bruce”, for example, with Bruce Springsteen is well known. Peter Gabriel with Womad was famous for bringing global musicians onto one stage. 

I once realised when making an album in the Netherlands that we unintentionally had about eight different nationalities working together in the same room: that’s just how music innately is… it builds bridges, not walls. Brexit has committed a terrible act of cultural vandalism to this effect and, yes, cross-cultural resistance to being defined and contained by mere borders has always been foundational to music and its alchemical soft power. To restore freedom of movement and friction-free trade in Europe would be an absolute good. 

Anon : Do Labour stand any chance of turning things around and winning the next election, with or without Starmer?

Labour have inherited a chess board where the odds of winning a second term are difficult but not impossible. Sometimes, even with a great player, a game is objectively lost because only bad moves are left. It’s hard to say if that’s the case yet — but they do need to stop making any more blunders. No Government can win an election polling at 20%. They will ultimately be judged on their record and on living standards of the many. A week is a long time in politics. It’s their power to lose. 

Lisa Burton : If you could remove one barrier Brexit created for musicians tomorrow, what would it be?

One measure wouldn’t be enough. We need freedom of movement first and foremost but friction-free trade too. The loss of our European passports was probably the biggest gut punch for professional musicians in the UK – but touring is goods and services – people, equipment and merch have to freely travel too. A tour of 9 or 10 countries in Europe used to be no harder than a tour of 10 cities in Britain. Now it’s almost unimaginably complex – and beyond the means of small and medium-sized performers. Tinkering is welcome, but fundamentally rejoining is the only realistic fix. But political allegiances shift all the time – we’ll have to see what opportunities can be found and take them if presented. 

 

David Eldridge : Do you think McSweeney’s resignation will allow Starmer to remain in office for longer or will it hasten his departure?

 It’s likely a useful bloodletting. McSweeney fell on his sword (or was pushed onto it) over the Peter Mandelson scandal. That hasn’t fully played out yet. However weak Labour look – the right are fracturing worse. What we need are unifying alliances to keep the far right out of the mainstream where they are currently building strongholds. We live in “interesting times” of instability, when small changes can have powerful effects. We need to have a care that our solitary nudges aren’t misjudged. 

 

Anon : Pro-Europeans seem split between those wanting to rejoin the EU tomorrow and those who believe it will take a generation at least. What’s your best guess re the likely timeframe of a return to the EU?

I don’t doubt that we shouldn’t have left. I don’t doubt that we need a real public inquiry into Brexit to investigate how dark money, foreign malign influence, and Cambridge Analytica-style tactics of targeting persuadables tipped the scales on the referendum vote of 2016 before we can honestly address the size and scale of the hole under the waterline. Bilge pumps aren’t the answer. I think the timescale is very hard to know. 

In 1988 the Soviet Union was a fact as solid as the USA. By 1989 it was over, in the desire of Germany to reunify and tear down the wall. We are all Europeans… some are just taking a little longer to finally realise and recognise it. It feels like an immensity to imagine but, when a dam begins to leak, pretty soon the innate pressure opens the river up to its natural state again. 

Next month

With a background in mobile phone strategy across Europe and Asia, and a dedication to delivering new technology solutions, Farrukh Younus is probably best known for his video platform, Implausibleblog. He is a regular commentator on the political landscape, having generated over 1.6 billion impressions on Twitter/X.

If you wish to submit a question for Farrukh for consideration, please email us no later than noon on Monday 9 March.