Government blocks moves to improve voting from overseas

The Labour Party has blocked amendments seeking to protect the rights of voters abroad.

In March, the public bill committee for the Representation of the People Bill heard oral evidence on issues surrounding overseas voting. 

The mood was unanimous.

The bill, as written, is a missed opportunity to strengthen the franchise of Brits abroad.

This analysis is hardly surprising. The UK has an especially poor track record on overseas voting. During the last General Election, only half of overseas postal votes were counted. Many more voters are not aware of their rights.

 As Liberal Democrats Abroad member Tom McAdam explained to the committee:

“When we look at France, at the last legislative elections, it had a 37% turnout of overseas citizens. We can compare that with the turnout of British citizens overseas at the last General Election, which was 5%. There is a huge opportunity.”

Everyone, it seemed, recognised this opportunity.

Along with the Liberal Democrats Abroad, the committee also heard from the Conservatives Abroad, and Labour International. Several policies were discussed including voting at consulates, automatic registration for overseas voters, and downloadable ballot papers.

Conservative MP Paul Holmes, rued that: 

“…the House has a duty to improve knowledge about MPs representing those people [overseas citizens].”

Importantly, the Labour Party’s own overseas branch, Labour International, advocated for automatic voter registration as part of a passport application - a policy supported by both Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

Yet, despite cross-bench support from MPs and entreaties from their own members, Labour MPs rejected all amendments to the bill.

Last week, Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat MP, pressed the most modest of these amendments.

“[The ammendment] … would require the Secretary of State to conduct feasibility studies on improving overseas voting, as recommended by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s Second Report of Session 2024–25 and its review of the general election. With over 3.5 million British citizens abroad eligible to vote, it is important for the Government to use this Bill as an opportunity to break down barriers to voting so that citizens can be fairly represented.”

For clarity, the amendment requires only that the Government produce a report on the policies outlined during the committee stage. 

It doesn’t tie their hands. It doesn’t compel them to act. It doesn’t commit them to a specific policy. It asks only that they take advantage of the bill to perform an act of democratic due diligence.

Ayes: 5. Liberal Democrats (2), Conservatives (2), Greens (1).

Noes: 10. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour. Labour.

Opposition amendments rarely pass the committee stage. But amendments are also rarely met with such sweeping cross-party support. How many policies, do you imagine, have Greens and Conservatives joining hands to support an amendment tabled by the Liberal Democrats and supported by evidence from Labour members?

It is disheartening then, that when gifted an opportunity to improve our democracy, the Government has opted for political football over its citizens abroad. 

Nevertheless, we can now approach the issue with clear eyes. Prior to the committee, the absence of measures for overseas voters could be chalked up as an oversight. Now, ignorance is not an excuse. We can say with full confidence that the Government is aware of the issues facing overseas voters and refuses to act.

The bill will now move to the House of Lords.

If you want to join the fight to protect British citizens abroad, email info@libdemsineurope.org to get involved.