Briton’s bid to secure UK vote
Councillor seeks to pressure British government
Local councillor seeks to pressure British government via Brussels to secure a vote in UK elections for expats.
BRITISH councillor in Alicante province Jacqui Cotterill will attend a meeting of the European Union’s Petitions Committee next week in a renewed effort to secure a vote in UK elections for disenfranchised expats.
Mrs Cotterill, who represents the Coalició Democràtica de Parcent (CDP) party and is deputy mayor in Parcent, noted that her petition dates back to 2012. It calls for an end to the 15- year rule and the restoration of the franchise for all UK citizens, no matter where they live or how much time has been spent away.
“The petition is once again urgent, as having had no vote in the 2017 election it is crucial we can vote on any general election or new vote on our membership of the European Union when the final deal is known,” she explained.
“After many broken promises from the UK government in the last four years I hope that the voice of the millions affected, not just in Europe but throughout the world, can reach Westminster and ensure that any proposed legislation be enacted urgently and specifically allow for a vote in any future referendum.”
Mrs Cotterill noted that there is now an ‘active and growing movement’ to give the people a say on the final Brexit deal (see report on page 20).
She added: “I will also be asking for clarification on whether UK citizens will be able to stand in municipal elections and vote during the transition period, or do we lose that right after March 2019 when we become third country nationals.”
She noted that she will be speaking in a debate which begins at 14.30 on Tuesday (April 24) and can be watched on the EU Parliament webpage.
“I have the support of UK MEPS from Labour, Lib Dems, Greens and Spanish MEPs from PSOE, ALDE and Greens/ALE groups,” she noted.
Mrs Cotterill explained that her petition also examines the issue ‘of a whole generation of UK and EU citizens, living and working in other member states, such as my adult daughters, who have no vote in elections in their country of residence’.
“My adult children have never been able to vote in a general election anywhere, and as a councillor I have to uphold Spanish and regional law without having any say in it,” she told Costa Blanca News.
Mrs Cotterill said the EU’s 2013 citizenship hearing acknowledged that a transferable vote system, ‘similar to the European elections where we choose to vote in the UK or country of residence, would be desirable’. She added that Parcent town hall also sent a petition to the EU Parliament after passing a motion in a full council meeting supporting its British residents in their campaign to be able to vote.
“I will also be speaking on behalf of British residents in Parcent who, like my family, have been here for more than 15 years and have lost our right to vote,” noted Mrs Cotterill.