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Post by PotterLog on Apr 7, 2024 13:52:39 GMT
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Post by felonious on Apr 7, 2024 14:01:31 GMT
I can't quite get my head around the need for it. Apart from voters obliged to live abroad for a period due to work requirements or similar I can't see why people who don't want to live here should have a vote.
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Post by neworleanstokie on Apr 7, 2024 14:21:43 GMT
I've already registered and requested a postal vote. It's noting to do with not "wanting" to live in the UK, sometimes life doesn't fit into a nice little package of spending your life in just one country. I intend to spend some of my retirement (and $s) in the UK plus I'm now paying in my Class 2 NICs.
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Post by PotterLog on Apr 7, 2024 14:27:11 GMT
I can't quite get my head around the need for it. Apart from voters obliged to live abroad for a period due to work requirements or similar I can't see why people who don't want to live here should have a vote. I do understand that sentiment but there are loads of ways that expats might be affected by UK government policies. Tax/savings/national insurance/pensions, property, inheritance, family & kids, repatriation policies etc. It’s apparently pretty standard in most democracies. Anyway it is what it is, just thought people should be aware, there’s a good few expats on here |
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Post by gawa on Apr 7, 2024 14:28:41 GMT
Don't even need id for it either 🤣 A gift from the gerrymandering act 2022.
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Post by cvillestokie on Apr 7, 2024 14:34:30 GMT
I can't quite get my head around the need for it. Apart from voters obliged to live abroad for a period due to work requirements or similar I can't see why people who don't want to live here should have a vote. I couldn’t agree more. I get it for those who spend half a year or so in the UK at a time. Other than that though, I’ve made my choice. I was born in England but I don’t live there and I shouldn’t have the opportunity to dictate the future of the country. |
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Post by felonious on Apr 7, 2024 14:35:18 GMT
Don't even need id for it either 🤣 A gift from the gerrymandering act 2022. Well if the expats on here are anything to go by the Conservative party won't be the beneficiaries unless they're all talking with forked tongues  |
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Post by gawa on Apr 7, 2024 14:44:57 GMT
Don't even need id for it either 🤣 A gift from the gerrymandering act 2022. Well if the expats on here are anything to go by the Conservative party won't be the beneficiaries unless they're all talking with forked tongues At least with tory you know they're twats. Labour are pre op trans and some people gonna be in for a shock when they see the twats exposed. |
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Post by felonious on Apr 7, 2024 14:50:22 GMT
Well if the expats on here are anything to go by the Conservative party won't be the beneficiaries unless they're all talking with forked tongues At least with tory you know they're twats. Labour are pre op trans and some people gonna be in for a shock when they see the twats exposed. What does that even mean even coming from the land of lunatic politicians  |
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Post by neworleanstokie on Apr 7, 2024 15:21:07 GMT
Don't even need id for it either 🤣 A gift from the gerrymandering act 2022. You have to be confirmed previously on the electoral role in your constituency and provide UK ID to match ( I used my UK drivers license) which was registered at my last UK address in 1989. |
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Post by gawa on Apr 7, 2024 16:51:05 GMT
Don't even need id for it either 🤣 A gift from the gerrymandering act 2022. You have to be confirmed previously on the electoral role in your constituency and provide UK ID to match ( I used my UK drivers license) which was registered at my last UK address in 1989. I just went through and was able to complete the registration form with fake details after selecting I've no passport - www.gov.uk/register-to-vote?step-by-step-nav=ff81c31c-3282-49df-85a4-013887130110If I select I do have a passport I just have to input the passport number and stuff. So if I have a visa for a company in USA. Would they not have access to this information? Or an old employer in the uk? Or ex landlord? Or family member in some instances. Once registered the only other form of verification required for placing votes is inputting a national insurance number which many of the above and others have access to. Of course there will be very few prosecutions of voter fraud come the election which will then be used to tell us its not something to be concerned about. But if the controls used to verify people are as strong as asking someone "what's your name" and then accepting they're that person... then you're unlikely to have many cases of voter fraud. I just don't quite understand how people voting by post require no Id. But me showing up at a polling station, in the constituency I say I'm registered to vote, with the voting card which was sent to my registered address, which shows my name and age requires ID... But Rita living in Cambodia since 1983 can register to vote in a house she lived in 40 years ago. And then once registered they send a postal card to Cambodia and she sends it back. She could be filling it in. A child could be. A Cambodian friend could be. An employer. A monkey. Fuck knows. Surely the people who should have the stricter conditions are the postal voters and overseas voters. Not the people living in the local area who actually show up at a polling station.... |
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Post by neworleanstokie on Apr 7, 2024 16:59:11 GMT
You have to be confirmed previously on the electoral role in your constituency and provide UK ID to match ( I used my UK drivers license) which was registered at my last UK address in 1989. I just went through and was able to complete the registration form with fake details after selecting I've no passport - www.gov.uk/register-to-vote?step-by-step-nav=ff81c31c-3282-49df-85a4-013887130110If I select I do have a passport I just have to input the passport number and stuff. So if I have a visa for a company in USA. Would they not have access to this information? Or an old employer in the uk? Or ex landlord? Or family member in some instances. Once registered the only other form of verification required for placing votes is inputting a national insurance number which many of the above and others have access to. Of course there will be very few prosecutions of voter fraud come the election which will then be used to tell us its not something to be concerned about. But if the controls used to verify people are as strong as asking someone "what's your name" and then accepting they're that person... then you're unlikely to have many cases of voter fraud. Anyone can apply, it does not mean you will be approved. The process was very effiecient and handled by the office in Stafford. If a "mystery" applicant was not previously on the role with documents to support it would not be approved. |
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Post by gawa on Apr 7, 2024 17:04:48 GMT
I just went through and was able to complete the registration form with fake details after selecting I've no passport - www.gov.uk/register-to-vote?step-by-step-nav=ff81c31c-3282-49df-85a4-013887130110If I select I do have a passport I just have to input the passport number and stuff. So if I have a visa for a company in USA. Would they not have access to this information? Or an old employer in the uk? Or ex landlord? Or family member in some instances. Once registered the only other form of verification required for placing votes is inputting a national insurance number which many of the above and others have access to. Of course there will be very few prosecutions of voter fraud come the election which will then be used to tell us its not something to be concerned about. But if the controls used to verify people are as strong as asking someone "what's your name" and then accepting they're that person... then you're unlikely to have many cases of voter fraud. Anyone can apply, it does not mean you will be approved. The process was very effiecient and handled by the office in Stafford. If a "mystery" applicant was not previously on the role with documents to support it would not be approved. Did you provide a physical copy of drivers license or just a number? |
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Post by mtrstudent on Apr 7, 2024 17:36:58 GMT
Should I be allowed to vote? 🤔
I left for temp work in 2015 but stuck about. Now marrying a yank but we don't know where we'll live long term. Could come back to the UK once she's paid off her loans.
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Post by felonious on Apr 7, 2024 17:47:36 GMT
Should I be allowed to vote? 🤔 I left for temp work in 2015 but stuck about. Now marrying a yank but we don't know where we'll live long term. Could come back to the UK once she's paid off her loans. Absolutely not, under any circumstances |
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Post by felonious on Apr 8, 2024 6:55:53 GMT
I've already registered and requested a postal vote. It's noting to do with not "wanting" to live in the UK, sometimes life doesn't fit into a nice little package of spending your life in just one country. I intend to spend some of my retirement (and $s) in the UK plus I'm now paying in my Class 2 NICs. Class 2? |
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Post by neworleanstokie on Apr 8, 2024 12:29:37 GMT
Anyone can apply, it does not mean you will be approved. The process was very effiecient and handled by the office in Stafford. If a "mystery" applicant was not previously on the role with documents to support it would not be approved. Did you provide a physical copy of drivers license or just a number? they wanted to see a copy of the document that matches where I was registered in 1989. |
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Post by tuum on Apr 8, 2024 13:02:37 GMT
Don't even need id for it either 🤣 A gift from the gerrymandering act 2022. You have to be confirmed previously on the electoral role in your constituency and provide UK ID to match ( I used my UK drivers license) which was registered at my last UK address in 1989. I thought you were not allowed to have a UK DL if you are non-resident? So, how would an 'illegal' document be considered as a valid means of identification? |
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Post by marylandstoke on Apr 8, 2024 16:38:03 GMT
I can't quite get my head around the need for it. Apart from voters obliged to live abroad for a period due to work requirements or similar I can't see why people who don't want to live here should have a vote. I couldn’t agree more. I get it for those who spend half a year or so in the UK at a time. Other than that though, I’ve made my choice. I was born in England but I don’t live there and I shouldn’t have the opportunity to dictate the future of the country. Same. |
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 8, 2024 18:08:57 GMT
Who the fuck is going to vote in the U.K. elections when they live abroad anyway? There is no point
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Post by prestwichpotter on Apr 8, 2024 18:42:55 GMT
I have no issue with British Citizens all over the word having the vote, but like in France they should have their own constituent MP. One for USA & Canada, one for Australia and New Zealand, one for Western Europe, one for Eastern Europe, one for the Middle East & Africa, one for South/Central America and the Caribbean etc etc.
At least then they get voted in on issues that are important to ex-pats……
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Post by felonious on Apr 8, 2024 19:19:00 GMT
I can't quite get my head around the need for it. Apart from voters obliged to live abroad for a period due to work requirements or similar I can't see why people who don't want to live here should have a vote. I couldn’t agree more. I get it for those who spend half a year or so in the UK at a time. Other than that though, I’ve made my choice. I was born in England but I don’t live there and I shouldn’t have the opportunity to dictate the future of the country. I think I've discovered on this thread that expats can pay voluntary NI contributions to top up their state pension. You currently need 35 years for a full pension and the voluntary annual rate is £900(Class 3), £180( Class 2). So despite the fact that they've got no intention of living here they can avail themselves of a state pension to be paid by my kids and their kids. Got to be one of the best investments out there. |
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Post by PotterLog on Apr 8, 2024 20:18:06 GMT
I couldn’t agree more. I get it for those who spend half a year or so in the UK at a time. Other than that though, I’ve made my choice. I was born in England but I don’t live there and I shouldn’t have the opportunity to dictate the future of the country. I think I've discovered on this thread that expats can pay voluntary NI contributions to top up their state pension. You currently need 35 years for a full pension and the voluntary annual rate is £900(Class 3), £180( Class 2). So despite the fact that they've got no intention of living here they can avail themselves of a state pension to be paid by my kids and their kids. Got to be one of the best investments out there. How on earth would you know they've got no intention of living there? |
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Post by PotterLog on Apr 8, 2024 20:37:13 GMT
Who the fuck is going to vote in the U.K. elections when they live abroad anyway? There is no point As I said above, UK government policy can affect expats in countless ways. Sometimes extremely significant ones, e.g. the ability to return to UK with a spouse and family. |
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Post by neworleanstokie on Apr 8, 2024 22:30:06 GMT
You have to be confirmed previously on the electoral role in your constituency and provide UK ID to match ( I used my UK drivers license) which was registered at my last UK address in 1989. I thought you were not allowed to have a UK DL if you are non-resident? So, how would an 'illegal' document be considered as a valid means of identification? It was a legal document in 1989 when I was last registered to vote. If I become a UK resident at some point in the future (i.e. a return to take care of an elderly parent) I would simply have to update to a new address and the new format, my ability to drive "legally" is not affected. |
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Post by neworleanstokie on Apr 8, 2024 22:32:26 GMT
I couldn’t agree more. I get it for those who spend half a year or so in the UK at a time. Other than that though, I’ve made my choice. I was born in England but I don’t live there and I shouldn’t have the opportunity to dictate the future of the country. I think I've discovered on this thread that expats can pay voluntary NI contributions to top up their state pension. You currently need 35 years for a full pension and the voluntary annual rate is £900(Class 3), £180( Class 2). So despite the fact that they've got no intention of living here they can avail themselves of a state pension to be paid by my kids and their kids. Got to be one of the best investments out there. I have every intention of living in the UK in the future but my "residency" will be US. Spending my retirement $s in the UK helps the local economy and I'm not eligible for any "benefits" e.g. NHS. And to clarify I had to pay catch up payments and I have to pay in for the next 9 years. |
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Post by felonious on Apr 9, 2024 6:40:21 GMT
I think I've discovered on this thread that expats can pay voluntary NI contributions to top up their state pension. You currently need 35 years for a full pension and the voluntary annual rate is £900(Class 3), £180( Class 2). So despite the fact that they've got no intention of living here they can avail themselves of a state pension to be paid by my kids and their kids. Got to be one of the best investments out there. How on earth would you know they've got no intention of living there? Are you saying they have to have an intention of living here in the future to avail themselves of a state pension. The point I was making is that it's a great investment for someone who has never worked in the UK or has worked in the UK for only three years and has no intention of ever coming back here. Please correct me if I'm missing the point. |
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Post by tuum on Apr 9, 2024 7:33:21 GMT
I thought you were not allowed to have a UK DL if you are non-resident? So, how would an 'illegal' document be considered as a valid means of identification? It was a legal document in 1989 when I was last registered to vote. If I become a UK resident at some point in the future (i.e. a return to take care of an elderly parent) I would simply have to update to a new address and the new format, my ability to drive "legally" is not affected. What happens if you come back for a holiday and rent a car with your UK licence? Even if you can show proof of address as being in the UK, as a non-resident your insurance will be invalid because your DL is invalid. Last time I looked you had to be a UK resident to hold a valid UK driving licence. So, my original point remains. Why would the Govt accept a DL as proof of ID when that document is not valid. I would have thought the only genuine document to show would be your passport. I have no issue with this. I am just surprised. |
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Post by PotterLog on Apr 9, 2024 12:34:19 GMT
How on earth would you know they've got no intention of living there? Are you saying they have to have an intention of living here in the future to avail themselves of a state pension. The point I was making is that it's a great investment for someone who has never worked in the UK or has worked in the UK for only three years and has no intention of ever coming back here. Please correct me if I'm missing the point. No but you made the huge generalisation that expats “have no intention of living here”. Many certainly do intend to return to the UK at some point. Many will have worked and paid NI in the UK for years or decades before leaving. Some less so but you can’t pay voluntary top-up contributions if you’ve never worked in UK. It could be seen as a good “investment” if you qualify for the class 2 top-up offer but it depends on the individual’s circumstances. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to grant the option of continuing voluntarily payments to someone who’s worked and contributed in the past. |
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Post by felonious on Apr 9, 2024 12:48:04 GMT
Are you saying they have to have an intention of living here in the future to avail themselves of a state pension. The point I was making is that it's a great investment for someone who has never worked in the UK or has worked in the UK for only three years and has no intention of ever coming back here. Please correct me if I'm missing the point. No but you made the huge generalisation that expats “have no intention of living here”. Many certainly do intend to return to the UK at some point. Many will have worked and paid NI in the UK for years or decades before leaving. Some less so but you can’t pay voluntary top-up contributions if you’ve never worked in UK. It could be seen as a good “investment” if you qualify for the class 2 top-up offer but it depends on the individual’s circumstances. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to grant the option of continuing voluntarily payments to someone who’s worked and contributed in the past. Please correct me if I'm not understanding this correctly Class 2 contributions are for those expats living and working abroad “but only if you worked in the UK immediately before leaving, and you’ve previously lived in the UK for at least 3 years in a row or paid at least 3 years of contributions.” Class 2 voluntary National Insurance contributions for 2023/24 are a mere £3.45 per week (£179.40 p.a.). Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions for 2023/24 are a pricier £17.45 per week (£907.40 p.a.) and are for those expats living abroad but NOT working “ but only if at some point you’ve lived in the UK for at least 3 years in a row or paid at least 3 years of contributions.” I'd heard of people living here and working here who didn't have the necessary 35 years topping up with class 3 but I never realised this was available to people not living and working here. To be absolutely clear it's a no brainer for someone never having any intention of coming back to the UK, a full 35 years possible for as little as £179 per annum. There may well be expats who have every intention of coming back to the UK on retirement and I understand the continuance of NI contributions depending on the circumstances however whichever way you look at it it's a fantastic investment. |
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