A government that’s out of touch and out of ideas

A government that’s out of touch and out of ideas

May 8, 2022 | News

Unless the government recognises the suffering its causing, it will remain out of touch and out of ideas, and the public will be the losers

Sue Wilson MBE

by Sue Wilson MBE

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson was interviewed recently on Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid did not pull her punches. Johnson may have wanted to focus on self-aggrandisement but Ukraine, Reid pointed out, was not at the top of the public’s list of concerns. What is really worrying the British public is the rising cost of living.

Fuel prices are out of control, food costs are rising, more families are falling into poverty and more are reliant on food banks. Johnson insists the government are “doing everything we can to help with the pressures on family budgets” whilst simultaneously stating “there’s more that we can do”. Both assertions cannot be true. His claim to “understand what people are going through” is not backed up by government rhetoric or actions.

The government may be short on ideas as to how to solve the crisis, but they are not short on self-help suggestions for the general public.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary George Eustice suggested a way to ease the strain on family budgets was by switching from branded goods to supermarket own/value brands. He claimed this would enable those struggling to “contain and manage their household budget”, failing to recognise that families on low budgets are already making these ‘choices’ through necessity.

“Sometimes the poor are praised for being thrifty. But to recommend thrift to the poor is both grotesque and insulting. It is like advising a man who is starving to eat less.”

Oscar Wilde

Johnson says that people “have to make choices about what they spend their money on”. Sadly, for many struggling families, that stark choice is between heating or eating. But never fear, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has the answer – buy a cheap rail ticket and head off to the big city for some retail therapy to cheer yourself up. Might I suggest that Shapps cheer us all up, and save public money, by dispensing with his interminable, self-promoting videos!

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi’s solution to the cost-of-living crisis was to “make sure there’s a job available” for everyone. Clearly he is oblivious to the fact that the number of working families reliant on food parcels is on the rise, even those with two working family members.

According to a recent report by the Trussell Trust, in the year ending 31 March 2022, there was an increase in total demand of 14 percent. Of the over 2.1 million emergency food parcels delivered by their UK-wide network, 832,000 of those parcels went to children. I doubt that the education secretary was proposing to make sure jobs were available for them. Though I wouldn’t put it past him. Sweeping chimneys perhaps?

Supply your own energy

For those ignoring government advice on how to save money, there are plenty of other sources offering equally offensive, patronising and unhelpful suggestions. Energy companies – whose prices have risen by 54 percent, with further increases expected in the autumn – have suggested wearing warmer clothes. This included energy supplier Utilita who also came up with the ‘helpful’ suggestion that those struggling to deal with cost-of-living increases should use less electricity!

The second-largest energy supplier, E.ON , was forced to apologise to 30,000 households earlier this year after sending them branded socks to help them keep warm. The socks came with the advice to turn down the heating to help reduce carbon emissions.

Ovo Energy (SSE) were also forced to apologise after the suggestion that customers eat porridge, cuddle their pets, or exercise to keep warm. It would seem that, instead of using energy they supply, the poor are expected to use their own.

Rising energy prices are not unique to the UK though. Recent events have made fuel supplies, and prices, a global issue. Few governments, however, have done as little to ameliorate the problems facing its citizens as our own. Where other countries have capped prices or reduced or removed VAT, our government has not.

Berryman Political Cartoon
Berryman Political Cartoon from The U.S. National Archives, no known copyright restrictions

Record profits

As oil and gas prices surge across the globe, energy companies are reporting record profits. On Thursday, Shell announced the highest quarterly profits ever recorded for the first three months of this year – a staggering £7.3bn. That equates to almost three times the profits made during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Johnson is ignoring the immediate problems, focusing instead on future investment in energy supplies. The demand for cleaner, cheaper energy is being presented as justification for the government’s failure to act, despite increasing demands for a one-off windfall tax on energy company profits. Whilst investment in a more self-sufficient, eco-friendly energy supply is vital, looking to the future does not solve the problem facing those struggling to pay bills right now. Nor does it force energy companies to act more responsibly and share their profit windfall with their customers.

Grim times ahead

As the British public headed to the polls to vote in local elections, more worrying financial news was announced – the Bank of England raised interest rates by 0.25 percent to 1 percent, a 13-year high. As a result, millions of people with debts or mortgages will see their repayment costs go up.

The Bank said they “expect inflation to rise further to around 10% this year”, the highest level for 40 years. They added that “prices are likely to rise faster than income for many people”, negatively affecting their purchasing power. A recession now looks inevitable.

Public response

Though local election results were damaging to the government, no doubt they will attempt to play down the results. A more appropriate response would be to take stock and put the needs of the country first. Having lost flagship councils like Wandsworth and Westminster to Labour, plus many other seats to the Liberal Democrats and Greens, it is time for a reality check.

Many Conservative supporters demonstrated their dissatisfaction at the ballot box, but the cost-of-living crisis was not the only reason. Partygate and the general level of dishonesty and disinformation was also a significant factor. But the two issues have something in common – they both demonstrate the government’s failure to understand the mood of the country and an unwillingness to accept any responsibility for their actions.

Unless the government recognises the suffering its own policies are causing, it will remain out of touch and out of ideas, and the general public will be the losers.

‘Bittersweet’: Brits living abroad for over 15 years finally win right to vote in UK Elections

‘Bittersweet’: Brits living abroad for over 15 years finally win right to vote in UK Elections

Apr 29, 2022 | News

By George Mathias – Originally posted in The Olive Press

CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating their victory after years of battling for the right of those who have lived abroad for more than 15years to maintain the right to vote in UK elections.

On Thursday, April 28, the House of Commons passed the bill that will give tens of thousands of Brits in Spain and across Europe, the right to vote, regardless of the length of time they have lived outside the UK.

It puts a stop to the rule that saw long term British expats denied the right to participate in the Brexit referendum in June 2016.

The Elections Bill passed by both committee stage in the House of Lords and the report stage, where it was scrutinised for legal loopholes, before returning to the House of Commons on Thursday for a final vote.

The move follows 15 years of campaigning by expats, including from the Conservatives Abroad group.

Christine Rowlands, chair of Conservatives Abroad, told the Olive Press: “This is 20 years of work in the making and we are overjoyed. It will make a huge difference to the people in the UK.” 

Among the most high-profile campaigners is 100-year-old Harry Shindler, a Brit living in Italy, who challenged the 15-year limit taking to the UK courts and the European Court of Justice.

Harryshindler.jpg

100-year-old Harry Shindler has tirelessly campaigned for British expats be able to vote in UK elections.
Photo: British Embassy in Rome.

“This is a historic moment and Britons all over the world will be celebrating,” said the centenarian on Thursday.

Bremain in Spain’s Sue Wilson, who was awarded an MBE for her campaigning, admitted that the news stirred mixed feelings.

“While I’m delighted for Harry Shindler, after his tireless efforts, the news comes with very mixed feelings. The restoration of our democratic votings rights comes at very great cost,” she told the Olive Press.

“As we gain the right to vote others, thanks to new voter ID requirements, will lose theirs, and it is likely to affect many groups already disadvantaged, such as ethnic minorities, the poor and the young.

“The bill also takes away the independence of the Electoral Commission and gives the government more powers and removing further scrutiny. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in order to get back what we have lost. Most importantly, the votes are not yet in our hands, so our campaign will continue until the relevant processes are in place to make ‘votes for life’ work ahead of the next general election. It could come sooner than expected!”

The new law applies to all British citizens living overseas who have been previously registered to vote or have previously had a registered address in the UK. It is estimated that around 3.5 million Brits permanently reside abroad.

The law change also allows for postal and proxy voting for those who reside abroad.

Overturning the 15-year rule was a promise made by the Conservative party in three successive election manifestos.

Previously, the UK government said: “Decisions made by the UK Parliament impact British citizens who live overseas and so they should have a say in UK Parliamentary General Elections.”

‘Mixed feelings’: British citizens in Europe finally get right to vote for life

‘Mixed feelings’: British citizens in Europe finally get right to vote for life

Apr 29, 2022 | News

By Hayley Maguire – Originally published in The Local Es

 

British citizens living abroad will no longer lose their right to vote in UK elections if they have been abroad for over 15 years, after a long-term government pledge finally became law. Here’s what we know about the new rules.

What’s happened?

The UK government’s Elections Bill finally passed through the House of Lords in the British parliament on Wednesday night. Part two of the bill was was hugely important for British citizens living abroad because it restored their right to vote in UK General Elections, no matter how long they have lived abroad for.

Previously the so-called ’15-year rule’ meant Brits who had been out of the country for more than 15 years lost the right to vote back home. This rule effectively barred tens of thousands of Britons abroad from voting in the 2016 EU referendum, despite the fact the result had a direct impact on their lives.

It is believed the bill now extends voting rights to some 3.5 million British nationals living around the world, over one million of those living in Europe.

The move marks a victory for those Britons who have long campaigned against the 15-year rule, none more so than 100-year-old Harry Schindler, a British citizen living in Italy who began the campaign many years ago.

What’s the reaction been like?

Whilst the reaction has been mainly positive to the change, there were reasons for Britons not to be satisfied.

Jane Golding, former co-chair of British in Europe, and chair of British in Germany was, like many, unhappy with the another element of the bill that means voters will have to show mandatory photographic ID at the polling station, a move that critics say will make it harder for less well-off citizens and young people to vote.

“We are of course very pleased to have our votes back and pay particular tribute to the tenacious campaign that Harry Shindler has run for many years to make this happen,” Golding told The Local.

“Members of our British in Europe steering committee, including myself, have also campaigned for many years to make this a reality but it is difficult to celebrate a bill that undermines the independence of the Electoral Commission and will probably make it more difficult for lower income or disadvantaged UK resident citizens to vote. Moreover, the proof will be in the pudding: a right is only a reality when it is properly implemented.”

Sue Wilson, from Bremain in Spain also struck a similar note.

“Today’s long-awaited result brings with it mixed feelings. My 15 years outside of the UK will be up in August, so my stake in the outcome is very personal. I should feel like celebrating the overdue restoration of our democratic voting rights.

“However, it’s impossible to ignore the cost to others and to UK democracy in general. Where we are gaining back voting rights, others will be disenfranchised by the new requirement for photo ID. The bill has also removed the independence of the Electoral Commission and made it easier for foreign money to influence future elections. What should today feel like a win, sadly does not.”

What are ‘votes for life’?

The new rule will allow British citizens living in another country to continue participating in the democratic process in the UK by retaining their right to vote – no matter where they live or how long they have been outside of the UK.

The changes were part of the Elections Bill, and also make it easier for overseas electors to remain registered for longer through an absent voting arrangement.

This means electors will have to renew their registration details every three years instead of annually.

How can British people overseas use ‘votes for life’?

The new “votes for life” will apply to all British citizens living overseas who have been previously registered to vote or previously resident in the UK.

The absent voting arrangement means individuals will be able to reapply for a postal vote or refresh their proxy vote at the same time as renewing their voter registration.

However, overseas electors will only be entitled to register in respect of one UK address, with clear rules put in place surrounding this. 

British people wishing to register to vote under the new measures will also have to show a “demonstrable connection” to a UK address.

Furthermore, individuals will have to register in the constituency of the last address where they were registered to vote, or the last address where they were a resident.

The government states that someone can demonstrate their last address by checking past copies of the electoral register or local data such as tax records, or by documentary evidence or, “failing the above, an attestation from another registered elector”.

Why has the UK government made these changes?

Unfortunately this comes too late for many Brits abroad to get a say in the thing that has had the biggest impact on their lives – Brexit – but it’s better late than never.

In a previous press release, the UK government stated that decisions made by UK Parliament impacts British citizens who live overseas and so they should have a say in UK Parliamentary General Elections.

It specifically mentions decisions made surrounding foreign policy, defence, immigration, pensions and trade deals.

But issues such as NHS access, UK university fees, nationality and border measures are also of huge significance to Britons living abroad.

Lord True, Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, said previously: “In an increasingly global and connected world, most British citizens living overseas retain deep ties to the United Kingdom. 

“Many still have family here, have a history of hard work in the UK behind them, and some have even fought for our country.

“These measures support our vision for a truly Global Britain, opening up our democracy to British citizens living overseas who deserve to have their voices heard in our Parliament, no matter where they choose to live.”

More could  be done for Brits abroad

Many other countries already give their overseas nationals the right to vote for life and some, including France, have MPs dedicated to representing nationals who live overseas.

But an amendment put forward by the Lib Dem party to give Britons abroad MPs was rejected.

The Lib Dems also criticised the British government for failing to streamline the voting process to make it easier for Britons to vote from abroad. The government rejected a call to move to electronic voting for those overseas to replace postal voting.

Votes for life in UK general elections for British expats finally becomes law

Votes for life in UK general elections for British expats finally becomes law

Apr 29, 2022 | News

NEIL HESKETH / JENNIE RHODES – Originally posted in SUR

 

After a fight over several years, campaigners are celebrating the change which gives UK citizens in Spain more say in decisions ‘back home’

British citizens living in Spain are celebrating today after the law in the UK changed to allow them to vote in Westminster elections. The move could affect hundreds of thousands of expats across Spain and many more Britons worldwide.

The new ruling is part of a bigger elections bill which received Royal Assent this Thursday, 28 April, and British ministers have committed to implementing it within the current parliament. Previously, UK citizens lost the right to vote 15 years after they last voted there.

Chairperson of Conservatives Abroad for the Costa del Sol, Christine Rowlands, who was one of the first to campaign for the change and has led trips to London to lobby ministers and MPs, said she was “super excited” by the change becoming law because of the “huge impact” it will have on the rights of British expats to influence decision making in the UK. “Many still have property in Britain or family living there who are affected by UK government decisions and these people will now be able to have their voice heard,” said Christine, who is originally from Shrewsbury in England. “I did not expect to see this in my lifetime,” she added.

The rules, which will take time to set up, mean British citizens will be able to vote in the constituency where they were last registered on the electoral roll, or, if they were not registered as a UK voter when they left, in the place where they were previously resident, subject to showing proof to local registration officials. The new right to vote only applies to UK parliamentary elections.

Keep pressure up

Sue Wilson, Chair of Bremain in Spain, said, “The restoration of our democratic voting rights is something we’ve campaigned for, hoped for, longed for, for a very long time. We must keep up the pressure to ensure that the process of restoration is swift. Most importantly of all, we need those votes ahead of the next general election. My 15 years will be up in August. My fight will not stop until I can once again cast a vote for my party of choice.”

Other parts of the bill included issues affecting UK elections, such as greater protection against election fraud, more support for disabled people at the polling booth and measures to prevent intimidation at the ballot box.

Bitter sweet feelings as elections bill passes through parliament

Bitter sweet feelings as elections bill passes through parliament

Apr 29, 2022 | News

Sue Wilson MBE

by Sue Wilson MBE

The passing of the elections bill through parliament comes at a price as Johnson now takes control of the Electoral Commission.

When I heard that the elections bill had been passed by parliament, the song It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to came to mind. After years campaigning for the restoration of stolen voting rights for Brits abroad, today should have been one of celebration. But instead of reaching for a glass of bubbly, I feel more like reaching for the anti-depressants or signing up for anger management classes.

Longstanding fight for voting rights

The fight for the restoration of full voting rights for Brits living abroad has been one that’s been very close to my heart for a long time. The existing rules remove voting rights once a British citizen has lived abroad for 15 years. The fact that in three months’ time my own 15 years is up has added a personal level of urgency.

The campaign has been fought long and hard by many, not least the remarkable, and still very active, 100-year old Harry Shindler OBE. It has also been a longstanding objective of the campaign group Bremain in Spain. But how can we celebrate the end of a hard-fought battle for democratic voting rights when the prize comes at such a heavy price?

A solution looking for a problem

During the course of its progress through both houses, there have been many attempts – mostly by the Lords – to temper the government’s undemocratic plans. Voter ID, despite being widely criticised, will now be a legal requirement and will disenfranchise millions of minority voters – it has been compared to US-style ‘voter suppression’.

The local elections next week will be the last time before all voters are required to produce photo ID. That could be as many as two million people prevented from voting by a ‘solution’ to a non-existent problem – that of supposed electoral fraud. At the last election in 2019, there were only 33 cases reported cases of suspected fraud. One of those resulted in a conviction, another in a caution. Giving me back my vote at the expense of someone young, disabled, poor or from a minority background does not feel like a win.

The last battle for democracy

The fight for the independence of the elections’ regulator – the Electoral Commission – was the final battle to be lost to the government. They will now hold executive power over the elections process and be accountable only to themselves. Taking back control, it seems, only applies to the government, not to the country.

This should be big news, but it won’t be. It will pass largely unnoticed. It could simply be a lack of interest by the media or the general public. Or perhaps it’s because we’ve become so used to watching our democracy being dismantled before our very eyes that it’s just another day in toxic Conservative Britain. Either way, getting my vote back at the expense of integrity and democratic scrutiny does not feel like a win.

Where were the Opposition?

Members of both houses put up strong, reasoned, passionate arguments against many elements of the elections bill. Several Lords amendments were added – many of which on lesser issues were accepted. But the fight for the independence of the Electoral Commission was the last and most drawn out.

It had been speculated that, with time running out before the prorogation of parliament, the government might be forced to compromise. However, the government stuck to its guns, forcing the bill back to the Lords late in the evening for acceptance or rejection.

By the time of the bill’s return, it seems that Labour Lords had given up the fight.  On social media, the response to Labour’s inaction was almost as critical as of the bill itself. Getting my vote back, at the expense of my disappointment in the opposition does not feel like a win.

More horrors to come

The elections bill – awful as it is – does not stand alone. It is one of a number of right-wing, undemocratic, toxic bills that serve nobody except for this government. With each new piece of legislation, the government grabs new powers for itself, removes any remaining scrutiny and takes away our rights. All in the name of ‘democracy’.

Worse still, they are not done yet. In the forthcoming Queen’s Speech – due on 10 May – when the new parliament will be officially opened, we can expect more attacks on our rights and our democracy. Some horrors we are expecting, such as the planned attack on human rights legislation and the new Brexit freedoms bill, which aims to overrule the international Brexit treaty. No doubt there will be more nasty surprises too. All the more reason why we must put our anger, our frustration, our sadness behind us, and focus.

The battle isn’t over

For Brits abroad, a big part of that focus will be on continuing the journey that the elections bill has started. In law we may have won back the right to vote, but we are still a long way from exercising that right. The road will be long, infuriating and complex, but we cannot stop now. The processes now need to be put in place to allow me to vote at the next general election.

It’s ironic that it is this Conservative government that is restoring our right to vote. When first they agreed to the principle, many, many manifestos ago, they likely believed they could rely on the overseas British vote. Labour thought so too. But that was before Brexit. Before our lives abroad were affected in ways we could never have imagined. Getting my vote back, at such considerable cost, does not feel like a win. Voting in the next election, with millions of disenfranchised Brits, to remove this government from power once and for all … now that will feel like a win.