Overseas Constituency Campaign
The voices of UK citizens abroad must be heard



Although all UK citizens living abroad are all able to vote due to the removal of the 15 year bar, their voices are substantively muted by a weak system of representation in Westminster. They are represented by the MP from their last place of residence in the UK (which they might have left over 30 or 40 years ago). Their MP are likely to have had little experience of dealing with the issues citizens abroad regularly face. This means their issues are often not addressed, or only poorly addressed by their MP.
With overseas constituencies (areas designated as a district for the representation of eligible voters residing temporarily or permanently abroad), we can ensure UK citizens living abroad are properly represented by MPs who focus on dealing with the challenges UK residents abroad face.
Currently, 17 countries, including several European countries – Croatia, France, Italy, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Romania have established overseas constituencies.
The UK could implement such a system through a two-stage process: first, running a registration drive for eligible citizens, and second, determining the number of MPs, based on the registered number of overseas voters, and set by the Boundary Commission using the typical UK constituency electorate. The creation of overseas constituencies would not need to diminish the current number of constituencies and so would not require redrawing constituency boundaries.
New Europeans UK, together with Unlock Democracy, campaigns for the establishment of overseas constituencies in the UK parliament.
My personal feeling is that if you leave the UK to live elsewhere (not necessarily the EU) then
your MP has no further interest in you.
We believe that overseas constituencies will:
Strengthen representation for those living abroad: overseas constituencies ensure that eligible voters residing abroad have dedicated representation, acknowledging that their territorial links to UK constituencies may weaken over time.
Align Interests for all UK citizens overseas: Overseas voters share concerns and interests with other UK citizens residing abroad, particularly for those who live in the EU regarding the challenges arising from the loss of EU citizenship.
Simplify Participation for those abroad: Establishing overseas constituencies simplifies the registration and voting process for UK citizens abroad, providing them with a more streamlined and efficient way to participate in elections.
You can add your support for our joint Overseas Constituencies campaign by signing the petition, sharing the campaign on social media or sending your MP a pre-written email (see below).
The stories of UK citizens abroad
Press coverage
Overseas Constituency Campaign
Postal Vote Scandal
Research
The following are responses to a citizens’ panel, which formed part of the Brexit Brits Abroad study, led by Professor Michaela Benson, who is also a board member of New Europeans UK.
We need to be allowed to vote on issues that affect us directly irrespective of how long we have been away from the UK. We also need a dedicated MP to represent us, one that will be better placed to understand our issues and needs and will be able to speak on our behalf rather than trying to juggle our needs at the same time as local issues.
A report on ‘British citizens in the EU after Brexit’ by Prof Benson and her colleagues concluded on political participation “that while the vote for life will be welcomed, more could be done to tailor the franchise so that the extensive population of British citizens living outside the UK might have better democratic representation”
The Case for Overseas Constituencies
Chair of New Europeans UK, Dr. Ruvi Ziegler, who is Associate Professor in International Refugee Law, sets out the case for the introduction of overseas constituencies in the UK. He argues that further electoral reform is “desirable” following the removal of the 15-year limit to voting for Britons abroad.
Videos
What is your name and age?
Clarissa Killwick. I’m keeping up a family tradition of not revealing my age! Fortunately, as a freelance English teacher in Italy, age is not a bar for me to continue working.
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
I feel I am a British European.
Where do you live and for how long?
I have lived in France in the past but we have been in Italy for the last 23 years. Not Tuscany but the industrial Northeast where we could easily find work. It is still beautiful!
How did you end up living where you are?
I was made redundant from a corporate job in London at the time of many mergers. Our son was still a baby so it was a window of opportunity to try out moving to Italy. Free movement worked really well for me; I was surplus to requirements in the UK but I retrained as an English teacher after arriving in Italy and live in an area where mother tongue teachers are in high demand.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
We are a small British family, my partner, myself, and our son. My partner is also an English teacher.
We have integrated in the sense that our son has grown up here and I work, including as a volunteer, in the local community. But I didn’t come here to become Italian and feel I can still make my contribution here as a British national. A lot of my activities involve sharing British culture which I love and so do Italians!
Together with another teacher, we started collecting English china and held our first fund-raising tea party the year of the referendum to help the victims of the Amatrice earthquake. More recently, as part of an educational project, I have run workshops in schools with tea-tasting and the history of tea. And in a hotel school, I did afternoon tea workshops with my china, homemade scones and clotted cream with demonstrations of how to make lemon curd.
This year schools also asked for workshops about the Queen. The teachers tell me they learn a lot and so have I through the research I had to do. In recent years, I have run an English stand at a multicultural festival in our town, which celebrates the fact that 10% of our community were born outside of Italy.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
I find being on mainland Europe really exciting and love the diversity of cultures even within Italy.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
Thanks to Brexit, I feel like the UK cut its ties with me but I cannot do likewise even if I wished to. I have family and friends in the UK and those links are very important to our son too. My state pension will come from the UK. Through my work I have brought business to the UK and I am a consumer of UK goods. I’ve had a very active UK bank account for over 40 years and I am fortunate it hasn’t been closed down as has happened to many other Brits post Brexit.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
Well, I am not on another planet so I can access most things! But I miss the English countryside, the National Trust and British theatre and, of course, spending time with loved ones other than on Zoom.
What challenges have you faced living abroad before and after Brexit?
It was a bombshell which caused a lot of anxiety and removed our sense of security. I volunteer in Italy to help other Brits with the bureaucratic quagmire we are left in. We are pretty much on our own now but the problems continue. The other side of the coin is how Italians are affected. For example, I used to help students prepare for studying or working in the UK but now I am asked to do Brexit workshops in schools, discussing all the obstacles they face. Almost every school I have worked in had study trips to the UK but now hardly any which is sad.
What do you see as the benefit of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
Brexit left me without a vote anywhere so it is worrying being without a voice. My experience over the last few years has convinced me that we need dedicated MPs who can really understand our particular issues and that just getting our vote back is not enough.
In what way do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
I believe Brits abroad should be considered as assets not just liabilities. We have a contribution to make in promoting the UK through our work and in our communities. The English language is one the UK’s greatest exports and is really big business. However, I’m concerned that the pool of mother tongue teachers and examiners in Italy is just going to dry up.
Anything else, which you would like to add about yourself, your story, or the situation for Brits abroad?
I was very privileged to interview the wonderful Harry Shindler who campaigned so hard for votes for life for Brits abroad. He lived until he was over a hundred but sadly not long enough to get his vote back in the UK. Something he said which he felt strongly about really resonated with me: “You do not become less British the further away you live from Charing Cross”. Brexit hurt and shook our sense of identity but some things you can’t change. I will carry on being a British European.
What is your name and age?
Andy Davies, 65
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
British
Where do you live and for how long?
I live in Milan, Italy and I’ve lived here for almost 20 years
How did you end up living where you are?
It was a choice to come here 20 years ago, initially for a year “to see what it was like” and then I got work, so I stayed.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I worked as an English Teacher for the first year and a half. Then I got a full-time job at a small engineering firm near Milan as a Project Manager and I’m still there (although I will possibly retire next year and move to Carrara). I was so lucky, getting a job without speaking Italian, finding a really nice area to live, etc. I know that for a lot of people moving abroad, it can be much more difficult and I’m so grateful.
I live in a flat near the centre of Milan with my Italian husband (we got married in 2019) and two dogs.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
It’s a complete change from living in the countryside in the UK. The area I live in is great for living and for bars, restaurants, etc. It’s always felt like “home” and I’ve lived in this area since I moved to Italy. Milan is such a beautiful city (to me). It makes you feel alive!
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
I have a lot of friends and family there but I don’t go over so often – usually every three years or so. Sometimes, friends come here.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
Some food. I used to live in Herefordshire, so I miss the beautiful countryside but I don’t miss the rain and cold!
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
I think the language is the biggest problem although I am quite lazy. Most people in Milan speak English (in some way), so it’s been OK. We have a house in Carrara so we go down there, particularly in the summer, and almost no one speaks English, so it’s more difficult for me. But living somewhere where no one speaks English really helps to improve your Italian!
People here are very friendly but it helps being married to an Italian who has also lived here for about 25 years!
After Brexit, it became more of a pain because I had to get all my documents – CartaID, Health Card, exchange driving licence, etc.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
It would be someone who you could contact if you had problems while living here and, as I’m still British, I feel that some sort of representation in parliament should be available.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
I think that having overseas constituencies would be more inclusive. There are a lot of Britons that live abroad and, at the moment, have no say or representation.
Anything else, which you would like to add about yourself, your story, or the situation for Brits abroad?
I love living here and the people I meet here and wouldn’t want to swap it for anything else.
It had always been my dream to live in Italy – and now I do! There are still times I have to pinch myself because it sometimes seems like a dream.
What is your name and age?
Angela Felicissimo, age 61
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
I’m white, british
Where do you live and for how long?
I live in Italy (near Rome). I have lived here for 15 years. I moved here from Belgium, where I lived for 4 years
How did you end up living where you are?
It was for love. I met my Italian (now) husband in Brussels when I lived there. When he moved back home to Italy I went with him and we got married
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I work for a German company (working remotely) from home. I work full time, I live with my husband and our golden retriever Luna. Through marriage I have got Italian CItizenship.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
I love the climate, the relaxed way of life, the food, the wine and the people. There are things I dislike such as the bureaucracy.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
Yes, my son and his family (one granddaughter) are in the UK. My siblings and their families are also in the UK.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
I miss my family the most and get more homesick every time I visit.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
We married way before Brexit was even a thought and our plan was always to move back to the UK when we retired. Brexit has put a stop to that. Now, even though we met and married before Brexit, I could move back, but my husband would have to go through an expensive process of getting a visa etc.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
Being able to address issues like the one above. I can kind of understand not allowing those who married post Brexit to relocate, but those of us who married before, i feel it is harsh not being able to move back. Having a dedicated MP, I would be able to address those issues, and have them looked at. An MP in my last borough would have absolutely zero interest in my issues.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
I think brits who live abroad have a different perspective. The world is bigger for us. We don’t see things through rose tinted glasses. Issues being faced in the UK, in some cases, are no different to those in other countries.
Anything else, which you would like to add about yourself, your story, or the situation for Brits abroad?
I’m just desperately sad about Brexit. I feel for the young people who are no longer able to benefit from being able to move to Europe to Study. My son studied languages, and was able to spend three months studying in France and one year in Spain, as part of his degree. He then went on to work in Spain for many years until he relocated back to the UK. My granddaughter is unlikely to have the same opportunities unless something changes.
I also feel that I no longer have a voice in what the future holds for me. I am British and I do care about what I still think of as home. I feel I should have a say in that. My plans are up in the air now. I have not long to go before retiring and want to be near to my family, but that looks like a remote possibility.
What is your name and age?
John Shardlow, 55 years old
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
White, British
Where do you live and for how long?
I have lived in Malaysia for more than 16 years (continuously since 2009)
How did you end up living where you are?
Initially I came to Malaysia for work and then met my wife and got married here.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
When I first came to Malaysia (2004 – 2007) I was single, but after I moved back to Malaysia in 2009, I met my wife and we got married in 2010. I have a stepson who was born in 1997 and my daughter was born in 2013.
I have worked for various companies since I came back to Malaysia and have also set up two small companies here. But these are no longer operating and I now work for a Silicon Valley based company, which has an office here in Malaysia.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
I find the people in Malaysia very friendly and the food here is amazing.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
I still have family and friends in the UK, and I do like to visit when I can. But it is becoming a lot more expensive, so I visit only about once every two years now.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
Mainly being able to see family and friends more regularly.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
The most difficult issue is maintaining my visa to be allowed to live in Malaysia. The Malaysian Immigration Department makes it very difficult to ever get PR (Permanent Residence) and getting citizenship is practically unheard of, and Malaysia does not allow dual citizenship, so in practice the best I can hope for is PR. Maintaining my spouse visa involves a lot of time and effort, and they do not allow spouse visa holders to use agents so we have to do that ourselves.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
My own MP in the UK does not really understand any of the unique issues facing Brits overseas and having a dedicated MP for an overseas constituency would enable them to focus on the issues that matter such as “frozen pensions”, access to the NHS, and allowing children born overseas to access British Universities at reasonable fee rates.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
At the moment the UK appears to not care at all about anyone who leaves to live overseas. There is a perception that “expats” are all very wealthy people, but this is obviously nonsense.
Countries like France have a much more caring attitude towards their overseas citizens, allowing them to vote at embassies, providing excellent French schools for the children. Their whole attitude is completely different. I think with overseas constituencies the UK could start to fix this and be more like France in that regard.
Anything else, which you would like to add about yourself, your story, or the situation for Brits abroad?
One other issue I have had since moving abroad is being exploited by unscrupulous financial advisors (all British themselves), who take advantage of the weak regulation around expat investing. As a result my pensions that were offshored into a UK qualified scheme (QROPS) have been halved in value in ten years rather than growing in value. It seems to me the UK government should be cracking down on this kind of thing and demanding compensation for people in my position.
Mary Poths, aged 70, Bulgaria
Now aged 70 plus and retired on UK State Retirement Pension having gone to work abroad (Middle East) in 2008, at age 55 and preparing for ‘old age’ by contemporaneously setting up my home base in Bulgaria. Whilst now a retired lawyer I was both proud and pleased to be able to work abroad and still practice in my ‘home’ jurisdiction of England & Wales. I chose to establish myself in Bulgaria because I knew I could not afford to retire and live in the UK on just the SRP. I felt it was my only choice, having raised 3 sons and cared for an ailing parent in the UK, I only become able to concentrate more on myself as I hit age 55 years.
Life can throw a lot of curve balls and challenges. Retirement got put on hold as I carried on practicing until fairly recently and managing a disabled Veteran son’s relocation to Bulgaria, where I could also encourage his independent living in a home of his own. A far better option than a cardboard box on the street in the UK. As a disabled person myself the challenges have been pretty intense at times and I shall be eternally grateful to my son’s former MP who gave utmost assistance before he too retired.
I have two sons and their families, my grandchildren, who remain in the UK as well as friends and extended family. I care deeply about not only them, but the UK itself. I have always exercised my right to vote and believe it important to continue to. I shall always be grateful to the country that educated and raised me and gave me the NHS, Libraries, the RNLI, Policemen who cared and helped in times of need, Politicians of honour, Social Housing and so forth during my childhood and formative years. I shall be eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to obtain a Law Honours Degree as a mature student and to the Universities where I obtained my Higher Education. I find it so sad to see so many of those wonderful achievements declining in the UK.
I also believe that for those of us Brits living abroad, an MP who understands the slightly different challenges, from those living in the UK, that we face whilst still represented by the UK Parliament, would ensure our voices are heard and given consideration. We have not abandoned our country of birth and nationality. Life has just taken us on a slightly different path, but we are still British and we still promote and maintain our values of tolerance, empathy, compassion, truth and, in my case, what was the best legal system in the world.
What is your name and age?
Michael Soffe (65 years of age)
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
Born and bred in Nigeria to British parents, moved to the UK because of the Biafra/Nigeria War. Travelled the world as a Stage Manager with the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet for 14 years and then left the UK for Spain. I feel 100% European!
Where do you live and for how long?
Just north of Málaga city – just celebrated my 34th anniversary
How did you end up living where you are?
After I met my partner (who sadly died of cancer 18 months ago), we decided to quit the rat race in London and seek sunshine and a peaceful life. It was the best decision we ever made.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I simply adore my life abroad. I studied Spanish and although not a linguist, picked it up relatively easily with a lot of hard work. Becoming integrated has hugely enriched my life here in Spain. After a couple of years with time out to learn the language fluently, I held several jobs thanks to Freedom of Movement. I have been a tour rep, then an administrator for a UK travel company based at Málaga airport, and then became a boutique hotel director (that was amazingly awarded “Best European Country House Hotel in Europe” by Conde Nast Johanssens in 2002).
In 2006 I started my own boutique hotel reservations company and moved on to create an award-winning weddings and events company and then another awarding-winning gourmet tapas tour company in the city of Málaga.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
The passion of the locals and the lifestyle. Simply magnificent!
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
Both my parents are still alive at 94 years of age and have been married for 72 years.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
Spain has been such a welcoming and open country in terms of accepting and helping me, as a UK national, to set up three businesses here. The problems I have faced since Brexit is that we UK migrants seem to have been tarred with the label that we all sit and drink in beach bars all day, voted for Brexit and live in “expat” communities. NOTHING could be further from the truth.
It is now difficult for me to work across borders (in Portugal for example) with my weddings and events company, as I had to re-apply for residence here (TIE card) and that only gives me the right to work in Spain.
I hate that I have been disenfranchised by Brexit in EU elections, as a net tax contributor to Spain (and of course a fully legal UK resident in an EU country).
I feel incredibly let down by the UK and Brexit. I am still very annoyed that I was denied a vote on my future in Europe in the referendum.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
I administer the Bremain In Spain lobby group and we have been so active over the last few years. I have had no vote in the UK for many years and I sincerely hope that the secondary legislation in the UK will soon be placed before parliament to restore the right to vote. It is enormously frustrating to have no vote at a national or European level in 2023 – it makes me feel like a second class citizen.
I respect that MPs need to deal with constituency affairs first and I sincerely believe that when/if my vote is eventually restored, any issue I raise about my life in Europe will be placed very firmly at the back of the queue by my MP. They will simply not be interested and will not understand the many issues faced by Brits abroad.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
Twofold – dedicated MPs who actually understand living abroad (I believe there should be at least six constituencies such as Europe, Middle East, Far East and Australasia, North America and South America for example) – this would mean they could concentrate their workload of the millions of us who have chosen to migrate. Secondly, I feel that it would be good for the image of the UK to have caring dedicated MPs in the areas they were chosen to represent.
What is your name and age?
Phoebe Luton 38
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
I always used to describe myself as British, but since Brexit I’ve been using the term ‘European’ more and more. I grew up in the north of England and went to university in Scotland, so it feels a bit strange being called ‘inglese’ by Italians.
Where do you live and for how long?
I live in Verona, Italy. I’ve been here since 2007.
How did you end up living where you are?
I won a scholarship to do my masters at the Conservatorio di Verona, having graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I moved here when I was 22. After I finished my studies, I began working and I have been a freelance teacher (both English language and music) ever since. I now have two children and a very happy and settled life here in Italy.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
Food is the obvious answer, but it goes far beyond that. I love the way that children are included in all aspects of life. I love the friendships I have created here, as well as the possibility to spend so much time outdoors.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
I come from a big family and most of my family is in the UK, so I make an effort to get over as much as I can to spend time with them. I also manage to see my friends from the UK pretty regularly, either in the UK or here in Italy. Most importantly, as an English language teacher, I am constantly speaking English, promoting its literature, culture and history, as well as encouraging students to go and visit the UK.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
The food. I know, I’ve already used that answer. I miss the variety of cuisines available, the access to fantastic seafood in Scotland and rhubarb!
I also really miss being able to vote. Having been in Italy for more than 15 years, I lost the right to vote in UK elections. I am no longer an EU citizen so I can’t vote in European elections and I’m not Italian so I can’t vote here. As a woman I’m keenly aware of the sacrifices made to give me the vote, so it feels incredibly frustrating to not be able to vote.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
Before Brexit things were relatively straightforward. I worked, I rented a flat, and I had healthcare. I was lucky that I bought a house just before Brexit, I have heard that getting a mortgage is much more complicated now.
I view my future very differently these days. I came to Italy at a time when it was easy to move around Europe and I started a relationship with an Italian with the understanding that if we needed to go back to the UK, it could be done pretty easily. When the deadlines started piling up we didn’t feel we could move our lives to the UK. But we also knew that by staying here in Italy, we were letting go of that potential future.
Then there are silly everyday things that are just a bit more complicated post-Brexit. For example, my daughter, who was born in January, needed a passport – as we can no longer use Italian Identity Cards to travel. It’s quick and easy to get an ID card, but very long and arduous to get a passport. With sick elderly parents to consider in the UK it was a worry to have that extra hurdle.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
I want to be a part of UK society. I know that might sound strange given that I don’t live in the UK, but British politics affects both my life and the life of my children. They may choose to live in the UK in the future. I had hoped they might go to university in the UK but now the overseas fees they face are far too high for us. I would love to be able to bring this up with an MP representing us, as well as questions surrounding pensions.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
We represent the UK. We are the best possible advertisement for UK universities and the job market. Instead of being seen as people who abandoned ship we should be seen as ambassadors.
What is your name and age?
Ruth Duncan, 58.
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
Scottish
Where do you live and for how long?
Outside of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy. I have lived here since 2012.
How did you end up living where you are?
We had been coming to Italy on vacation for many years before becoming residents. First to attend the F1 Grand Prix’s at Imola and Monza, and then we decided to have a villa holiday. We did this for six years in a property in Grotte Di Castro. The proprietor of the villa became a good friend. It transpired he also had a company selling properties. We told him we would be looking for a place to relocate to Italy full time and he found us our lovely home here outside Viterbo.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
My partner is retired and I am working towards completing an application for a PhD. We live a quiet, productive life.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
Italians are great fun to be around. They have an incredible sense of what is important in life, ‘that it is to be enjoyed’. The work life balance is very much geared towards ‘working to live’ not ‘living to work’. My favourite day is Sunday, the day of relaxation, food, conversations, giving thanks.
There is a very real rhythm to life and the seasons here, which I find joyful and reassuring. The simplest things are the most precious.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
My girlfriends still live in the UK and I am in regular contact with them.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
There are times I miss Scotland: the people, their unique sense of humour, the beautiful mountains, landscapes, the incredible history. Wherever I have worked or lived in the world, I have always felt a sense of responsibility in representing my country of birth and to promote it’s place and benefits to the world whenever possible.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
This is Italy. It is not an easy place to settle into. Coming here on holiday and living here are completely different. Thankfully having lived overseas for many years has made me a realist. You must work at integrating into life in another country. It takes time and patience to build a new life. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be here.
My experience of Italian bureaucracy is ‘nightmarish’. You must never expect any aspect to be straightforward. If it is, then it’s a wonderful surprise, normally it’s like wading through treacle wearing a blindfold. When the ‘Brexit bomb’ landed I knew we would have to jump through hoops to continue our life here. It took over two years of reapplication paperwork and waiting for appointments to reconfirm our permanent residence again.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
I feel that ‘Brits in Europe’ have entirely been abandoned by the UK political machinery. We are a forgotten resource in terms of being UK consumers and UK business promoters. Overseas constituencies would be helpful to reconnect people to the political system, reignite debate and hopefully provide a reliable pathway to information and advice.
What is your name and age?
Sarah Douglas, age 41
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
Scottish, white
Where do you live and for how long?
I have lived in Perugia, Italy for 16 years
How did you end up living where you are?
I came to work for a year after finishing uni but met my husband and ended up staying.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I worked as an English teacher initially but am currently a stay at home mum to my three children.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
I love the food, the sense of community and family, the traditions and the relaxed lifestyle.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
Yes, I have lots of family still in the UK and we spend at least two months every year visiting them. My parents have a small family farm which will one day be passed on to myself and my siblings. Although I have lived abroad for 16 years, I still consider Scotland to be home and would like to move back eventually. Currently, this is impossible as my husband can’t get a Visa.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
I miss my family and friends, and I miss the wild countryside of Scotland.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
The bureaucracy is very hard to navigate. I also am not happy with the school system or the range of options for education.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
I currently feel disenfranchised as I can no longer vote here in Italy or in the UK (although I understand this is due to change). I have occasionally contacted the MP of my former constituency in the UK, but mostly he has been unable to help since I’m not a resident.
I feel a dedicated MP would have a better understanding of the issues faced by Brits living abroad and would therefore be better able to represent us in parliament.
Anything else, which you would like to add about yourself, your story, or the situation for Brits abroad?
Since Brexit, I have felt forgotten about by the UK government. I’m currently not able to vote anywhere. It’s no longer possible for me to move back to the UK with my family because of the immigration policies.
I feel like there is no one, who is listening to issues we face, as the MPs in our former constituencies are not able to keep abreast of any issues we face, and there are not enough of us for them to bother about.
I feel strongly that the UK government currently doesn’t care about its citizens living abroad. I feel excluded from living in the UK because I fell in love with an Italian, and because as a stay at home mum I am not able to meet the minimum income requirements to sponsor my husband’s visa.
What is your name and age?
Stephen Corsham, age 64 3/4
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
White British/English
Where do you live and for how long?
Germany, since 1980 (43 years)
How did you end up living where you are?
Married a German I met during my year abroad (studied French and German at university). Applied for and got a job in Germany, and have lived and worked here ever since.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
Moved here for work and love, have four children (now grown up) and three grandchildren. Looking forward to retirement next year, learning Italian, travelling to Italy and France, and catching up on my reading list…
What do you love most about where you live and why?
Relative political and social stability, security, tolerance, reliability and fairness.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
Country pubs and the seaside, my ‘other’ family (parents, brothers, cousins and their families).
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
We will have a voice and a vote, rather than being decried as traitors, citizens of nowhere etc.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
The voices, views and input of Brits abroad will give a broader, more truthful picture of our real situation and an insight into life abroad (we don’t all live on the Costa del Sol).
What is your name and age?
Lisa Burton, aged 53.
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
Welsh, British, European.
Where do you live, and for how long?
I live in the Canary Islands and have been here since 2010.
How did you end up living where you are?
I grew up on a council estate in the Rhondda Valleys in the 1970s, which were tough times for my community, feeling the effects of the coal mine closures. At age 10, my father was offered a job in Hong Kong. We moved there, and I became an immigrant for the first time. I lived there until I was 18. It was an incredible experience which shaped me. I moved to Scotland at 19 to a tiny community where I married and raised my three children until 2010. I was a single mum still building my own business; my oldest was 18 and going off to college. I needed a change and wanted to give my two younger children, who had fewer opportunities, a similar experience to what I had. That was living in a multicultural society. After some research, I chose Lanzarote because it had good schools, was in the same time zone as the UK, and had many cheap direct flights.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I didn’t know if having a home office and living in Spain while trying to run a business in the UK would work, but I wanted to give it a go, and it did. I have a distribution, export/import business which I moved from Scotland to Oxfordshire in 2013. The company is now 20 years old. My children attended school in Lanzarote, but in 2016 both returned to the UK – one to university and one to 6th form college. I still live here with my now partner of ten years.
What do you love most about where you live, and why?
I love the multicultural aspect of it. 23% of the population of Lanzarote are immigrants, and our town is hugely diverse. The weather, of course, is amazing all year round. The people are friendly, and life seems to be more appreciated. It has a laid-back feel, and my town has a strong sense of community with lots going on.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK, and if so how?
Yes, very much. All my family, mum, dad, brothers, sisters, aunties, cousins, still live in the Rhondda Valleys. My three adult children live in the UK – two in Scotland and one in England. And, of course, I am a UK business owner and employer who pays taxes to the UK government. I deeply care about my home nation, and I want the best for my family as I do for all people of the UK.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
Family. They are spread out across the whole of the UK, so seeing them all at any one time is difficult, but we do try to have family holidays and get-togethers as often as possible. I also miss the greenery and countryside, and access to cultural experiences like theatre, festivals and concerts. Returning to the UK and having a little ‘fix’ is always nice.
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit?
It’s never easy being an immigrant at first, albeit one with privilege, which British people do have. After all, other language speakers could move to any country worldwide and not have to learn the language to survive, but after a year, we were settled. I felt hurt and betrayed by the UK government over calling the referendum to leave the EU. It was obvious to me that it was all to do with the rise of far-right populism. The anti-immigration rhetoric and ‘othering’ really upset me. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion, which I knew would be hugely damaging. My own business took a substantial hit when we left the EU. We had been exporting goods across Europe business to business and selling directly to customers online with multiple VAT registrations across the EU. That side of the company took a huge hit. Today it is around 40% of what it used to be. Costs went up, paperwork went up, and orders went down. We used to buy a lot from the EU, but Brexit’s pound devaluation has made that far more difficult. It, of course, has never recovered. As for myself, I felt helpless and hurt and needed to channel my energies into trying to improve things, so I joined ‘Bremain in Spain’, a pro-European group that campaigns for closer ties with the EU and protects the rights of British in Spain and Europe, to which I am now Vice-Chair.
What are the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
I have deep ties to the UK. My business significantly contributes to the UK public purse and employs British citizens. My children’s and all my family’s lives are intrinsically linked to the wealth and opportunities the UK can afford. MPs serving a constituency have no understanding of the unique situations British migrants find themselves in. Brexit took away many of our rights of representation. We can’t vote in national or EU elections. A dedicated overseas MP would understand our issues and would be better positioned to represent us.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
About 1 in 10 British are living abroad. That’s huge. UK nationals are working and contributing to societies and businesses worldwide. We are a great source of soft power to Britain. However, in recent years, Brexit and the political turmoil have greatly diminished that, it does exist and should be capitalised upon. While overseas voters have many varied and important connections to the UK, local matters in their “own” constituency may be less relevant than national issues. Equally, the problems that affect overseas voters may be completely unknown to our local MPs and rather low on their list of priorities. MPs may have no time or desire to focus on their overseas constituents or unfamiliar issues.
Anything else, which you would like to add about yourself, your story, or the situation for Brits abroad?
While I am grateful for the secured rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, losing freedom of movement is a tragedy for all UK nationals. I still can’t live, travel and work freely in any other EU country than Spain. Rather than keeping people out of the UK, I wish people would realise that losing freedom of movement only serves to keep British nationals locked in with far fewer opportunities than their European counterparts. My two children attended school here, learned Spanish and had permanent residency. Now, because of Brexit, they have no right to move back to Spain or come to live with me. Neither would my mother be able to come to join me. The income you get from a UK state pension no longer qualifies for a visa in Spain, removing the rights of millions of pensioners to retire in the EU. Many Europeans now look at the UK with a mixture of pity and disbelief. Previously for Brits abroad, we felt a great sense of pride coming from Britain. Most of the world viewed Britain as an open, tolerant, world-leading democracy that respected international laws and conventions. However, whether people like to hear it or not, Britain’s reputation on the world stage has changed. When asked where you were from, the response used to be, ‘Ah, you’re from the UK, nice’; now it’s usually along the lines of ‘What is happening to your country?’ – That saddens me.
What is your name?
Vanessa Hughes
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
UK-born, European minded
Where do you live and for how long?
Belgium since 2008 (Previously Switzerland from 2006-2008)
How did you end up living where you are?
Partner’s job and a need/desire to get away from the increasingly poor quality of life and prospects in the UK.
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
While my partner has been working extremely long hours to earn the money for the family, I have been the support team. We have had to work as a team. I have worked hard to learn about the local laws, customs, language and people. Whilst supporting my partner and raising our children, I have done a lot of voluntary work in various fields.
We have a better quality of life here in Belgium and there is generally much more equality in society. The system is fairer and we get more for our money. The health care system here is modern and efficient.
It certainly hasn’t been easy, and for the first few years we found it really hard. The weather is as bad as the UK but it’s easy to travel to anywhere else in Europe. We feel part of Europe. Most of my friends here are Belgian or people of other nationalities, with some from the UK.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
Belgium has a very mixed and large international community. It is welcoming, generally well organised and progressive. It is also European and very much part of Europe.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
London’s West-End theatres. I love musicals and shows such as Cirque du Soleil but the versions we get here in Belgium are either not of the same quality, or they are in concert venues which are simply not the same atmosphere. Plus the West-End theatres are all disabled friendly and very well set up for wheelchair users and their companions. Sadly, this is one side of Belgium that is far less progressive!
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
Initially, life here was much less well-organised. Bureaucracy was awful, just to do basic paperwork. But that was the same for expats and Belgians alike. Over the past 15 years, Belgium has continued to update itself, progress and modernise. Sadly, during the same period, I have watched the UK stagnate and even go backwards, with little investment or modernisation at all.
Of course the language was a barrier – even more so with this small country having three separate parts, each with their own language, laws and character. But in the Flemish area, where I live, English is widely spoken, although in official places, such as the town halls, they will only allow the one local language of that area. We have been lucky with our local Town Hall, who have been welcoming and patient with us as we have gradually integrated into Belgium life.
Since Brexit, Belgium has actually been very welcoming to us and after the UK voted to leave Europe, we had no hesitation in applying for Belgian citizenship. I am and always wish to be European.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
By keeping in touch with its many, many members who are currently living abroad. We have important opinions and are also an important linking bridge between the UK and Europe.
What is your name and age?
Victoria Wallington. 52 years old
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
I was born British and got Greek nationality two years ago through the naturalisation process; interview and relevant documents, proof of my life here in Greece.
Where do you live and for how long?
I live in Thessaloniki, North Greece. I have been here since 2000. Before that I lived in Heraklion and Hania on Crete.
How did you end up living where you are?
I went to Crete to teach in my gap year in 1989. I came to Thessaloniki with the Erasmus scheme through my university [University of Birmingham] where I studied Modern Greek [language, literature, politics, culture]
Describe your life abroad – work/studies/retirement/family life etc
I am a single mother of 17 year old twins. I married a Greek man and divorced him when my daughters were 2 years old. I have always worked apart from the year, when I looked after them after their birth.
I am an artist and used to paint murals etc. but during the financial crisis I started teaching again as art became a luxury item that few could afford. I teach adults and guide them through the courses needed to attain certificates like CPE, ECPE, IETS, GRE, GMAT etc.
I work full time for a frontistirio (training school) and have a few private lessons of my own. I am fluent in Greek and before Brexit had no British/English speaking friends, all my friends were Greek. Since Brexit I started two Facebook groups. One to help foreigners get Greek citizenship and one as a support group for British residents after Brexit. I have since met many members from these groups and it is a delight to know them, maybe the only delight, post Brexit.
I have a Greek partner, he lives 50m from my home. We enjoy our life together and also prefer our independent flats. My daughters have dual nationality, are bilingual and are about to do their final year of state high school with a view to continuing with higher education here in Greece.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
It has been my home for so long, longer than I lived in GB. I visit my family in GB often but always have a longing to come home to Greece. It is not easy, I struggle as a single parent. But… The city, the countryside, and the mountain ranges are fabulous, and we try to get away as often as possible. I love my friends, my daughters are stressed but happy.
I am just off for a walk [my 10000 steps] around the Upper Town where I live and it is stunning up here. We are EU citizens, my daughters have just returned from Erasmus trips to Prague and Lisbon, I can vote here now in national and EU elections.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
My mum, my brother and his family, my large extended family and old friends, yes.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
My family and the greenery
What challenges have you faced living abroad? – Including before/after Brexit (if you are in an EU country)?
Bureaucratic challenges. It is difficult here in Greece, if you don’t know the intricate system and the language. Brexit affected us greatly in multiple ways hence my decision to get Greek citizenship. I am glad I voted in the recent elections after being completely disenfranchised after Brexit.
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
A recognised and detailed support system which does not exist. Other countries have MPs representing citizens living abroad, we were just ignored and forgotten. We did not have a vote in the referendum, it affected us radically yet we had no say. I am still furious.
What is your name and age?
My name is Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell and I am 48 years old
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
I am a white British man
Where do you live and for how long?
I grew up in Petts Wood in South East London and moved to Faversham in 2000 to be nearer my late father after the death of my mother in 1999. I moved from Faversham to Asia in 2011 after my father died, and ultimately lived in Thailand on an off for about 14 years, returning to the UK permanently in May 2024.
Pandemic led to change of profession and earnings threshold bars Lloyd from bringing wife and son to the UK. Read his story below.
I had run my own company in Thailand focusing on hospitality, travel, tourism, hotels and resorts from 2011 until everything went over the precipice with the COVID pandemic. My wife Susi and I worked together every day on the business, and with the benefit of hindsight I suppose life was better than we thought it was.
In February 2020, I was informed that all hotels were closing and I had one hour to collect what we wanted from our tour desks before they were mothballed for an indefinite period. Luckily I had started teaching English online from the moment my wife had become pregnant in an effort to gain skills in engaging with children. With support from family and friends, we were lucky to have an income at all during this time. During the lockdown, which went on for a very long time in Thailand, compared to the UK, we did not really know how long this ’new normal’ would go on for. My. teaching was not really sufficient to cover all our costs and life started to get really difficult.
I decided that I had best commit to re-skilling with the intent of one day being ready to return to the UK. I had some conversations with some long-standing friends and what had always been something in the back of my mind, coalesced into a plan. I would explore a route to ordination, study theology and become a priest. If ever I needed to return to the UK, being a priest means dealing with nice people, doing lots of individual support work, engaging with the community, and at the same time would nourish me spiritually. It was something which had been niggling me for more than 20 years.
Describe your life abroad
I would describe my life in Thailand as boringly normal. I know that British expats and expats in Thailand in particular have a reputation which puts them into two stereotypes. On the one hand there are the beer swilling sex tourists and then there are those stories of elderly expats living like kings with partners half their age. Both are gross generalisations. Most people I know try to go about their lives in the normal way. For my part I think my life was made up of doing work to live, a bit of gardening, and sometimes meeting with folks for a coffee. As time went on, I got more involved in the community and the church, of course. The context was beautiful, but who one is and what one does, does not really change irrespective of where one lives.
I am married to Susi who is the same age as me, we worked together and although we had long given up on the idea of starting a family, because it just hadn’t happened, suddenly she fell pregnant in 2016. Our wonderful son, Sebastian was born in March 2017.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
I suppose it was the weather which pushed me from England in the first place and pulled me to somewhere where it was summer every day. Living near the equator, the sun rises at 6am and sets at about 6pm all year round. Lots of people will look at a strict comparison in terms of the cost of living. The cost of living is cheaper and for those people who receive their private pensions or investment returns from the UK, while living in Thailand, I can see the obvious attraction. I was trying to make a living in Thailand and the income one might expect for working was far lower than an income from the UK. As someone who was not retired and who had a young family, there are other considerations which cost more. Education for example can be free if one is willing to have a child not speaking English or learning English from a teacher who cannot speak English. If you want your child to learn English from a native speaker in school, then you have to pay for that.
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
I do have a support network in the UK. I have family, although spread out. I benefit greatly speaking to my sister, stepmother and two aunties on my mothers side. One of them in particular, my godmother, has always maintained a strong bond. I have lots of old friends in the UK and since coming back, I have tried to reconnect with them. In some cases, having spent so long away, those relationships have changed and are less intense but in other respects it has felt in many cases like the intervening years are irrelevant – we have just picked up where we left off.
What did you miss most about the UK and why?
The downside, and there is always a downside, of course is that I missed the four seasons. It is either hot and dry or hot and wet. I missed some types of food from home too. Another thing which struck me there is that although government offices are closed at the weekend, everything else is open. A Sunday is like a Tuesday in many respects. There was no punctuation of the weeks. My experience in Thailand is that there is always a surprise, which ultimately costs money to resolve whether one has done something wrong or not. In the UK, if one has done nothing wrong, there are generally no surprises.
What challenges have you faced living abroad?
The biggest challenge we faced began on the 17th July 2002. I picked up my son as he had gone to sleep on the sofa. I felt my back click. I thought it was nothing and assumed it would sort itself out. A few days later, I went and got a massage which was agonising, and over time the excruciating sciatic pain got progressively worse until in November, I could no longer function. I went and got an MRI scan, which showed that I had a herniated disk. With support from family in the UK, as well as a few kind donations from a facebook appeal, I had my first operation in January 2023.
To cut a long story short, I ultimately had three operations, which meant I spent most of 2023 on my back and on quite strong pain killing medication.
The Bishop, who provides episcopal oversight to our little inclusive Anglican church, agreed it would be right for me to be ordained. So after my second operation, and on the Feast of Pentecost, I was made a priest. It was a great day, and after being a good husband and a father, being a priest is undoubtedly my greatest achievement to date. Truly humbling.
Later that year, I was again on my back. I could not earn money and as a family we were dependent on the charity of the church, friends and family, predominantly my stepmother for assistance. Whilst laying on my back, I started an online campaign against frozen pensions. Through my work in the church, I had met with, accompanied and got to know a number of destitute terminally ill retired expats. I could not understand why they were so poor. They informed me about the frozen pension issue, which detrimentally affects all retired British people living in Thailand dependent on a UK state pension. I was lucky enough to meet fellow Britton Bruce Darrington. Together we started to formulate a plan for a broader expats organisation synthesising lots of ideas, which over time became the British Overseas Voters Forum (BOVF).
As my back got better, I started to look for international work. It was a lot harder than I had thought and that did not result in a job. I pondered the idea of coming back to the UK with my family.
I was chatting to Bruce who informed me of the changes to the Minimum Income Requirement for spousal reunion. I was shocked! It meant our plan of finishing my studies and coming to the UK as a family were now profoundly undermined. It is very unlikely a curate will earn £29,000, let alone the £38,700 the MIR is set to increase to.
In consultation with my wife and my family in the UK, I decided to move back, and get back into the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector where my career had always been. So as to just get a job to start the clock and one day be reunited with the two people, Susi and Sebastian, who I love most in the world.
I now find myself in the UK, applying for jobs. I try to have conversations every day with my family, and although we are blessed with WhatsApp, it is not the same. It is heartbreaking in fact. Nearly every day, in response to Sebastian’s question “Are you coming home Daddy?” -I spend time with him explaining the plan again. How I have to find a job, how we have to wait for a year, and how then we will be together again.
It has undoubtedly had an impact on my mental health. But I am pragmatic – it is what it is. I cannot change it on my own. I have reached out to an organisation called Reunite Families UK who have taken a case to the High Court. I am hopeful that this ghastly piece of legislation might be removed and replaced with some sort of points system, allowing us to simply prove our relationship is real. Who knows?
What do you see as the benefits of having a dedicated MP representing Brits abroad like yourself?
Representation based on where constituents live seems like common sense. How can an MP expect to properly represent British citizens abroad if they only have a handful of foreign constituents? Maybe have never been to the country where the constituents live and maybe have no idea of the reality of life on the ground there.
How do you think the UK as a country could benefit from having overseas constituencies?
I think all of the key issues faced by British citizens overseas would become the raison d’etre, whether it’s – unjust frozen pensions, unfair overseas university fees for British students studying in the UK, harsh spousal reunion rules, right to a British bank account, discriminatory housing loan interest, or even the reform of voting mechanisms.
We need to have a cultural change, expats should be seen for the social capital they are. Made up of so many dynamic and brave individuals with so much knowledge, so many skills and so much potential, which actually if tapped could benefit the UK.
What is your name and age?
Mike Phillips, 80
How would you describe your (national/ethnic) identity?
European (English)
Where do you live and for how long?
Spain (Province of Alicante) for nearly 20 years
How did you end up living where you are?
From 1992 to 1995, I was posted to NATO in Naples, Italy, with my wife and twin daughters (then 11 to 14). We loved the Mediterranean lifestyle, culture and climate and travelled extensively in Italy and Greece due to my military duties during the Balkan Wars.
Later we visited a holiday home my nephew bought in Spain and decided to retire here rather than Italy, as it was closer to other family in England and there was an established British community.
Describe your life abroad
When we decided to retire to Spain our daughters planned (post University) to move to Australia with boyfriends they met there and brought back to England while they obtained their visas. My wife and I both had busy lives after moving to Spain. She joined a Barbershop (a cappella) chorus and I got involved in running a Sailing Association. We soon became heavily involved in each other’s hobbies and social circles.
After my wife died, I became the treasurer of the Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers that we are now re-branding to the Iberian Association to include Portugal. Our annual Conventions and other events contribute to the Spanish economy.
What do you love most about where you live and why?
Culture and climate obviously. But my village has a very active expat community run jointly by Brits and Germans, and we have a cosmopolitan membership including Dutch, Scandinavian and Spanish. We integrate positively with our local town hall council and have our own local police, who we introduced to the concept of neighbourhood watch. We also have our own medical centre and ambulance. We prefer to avoid areas where some British tourists go!
Do you still have a close connection to the UK and if so how?
Apart from family, I remain a member of the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association to stay in touch with old friends and developments in naval aviation that was my career for 39 years.
In 2022, I attended the 40th Falklands War anniversary of 826 Naval Air Squadron of which I was the senior engineer. My eldest son is Director of Palaces and Collections of Historic Royal Palaces with an office at Hampton Court and has responsibility for five of the Royal Palaces and the Tower of London. I take a keen interest in his work to open the palaces to the public and facilitate events to offset the cost of the royal estate to the taxpayer.
What do you miss most about the UK and why?
Family. I have two sons, a daughter and seven grandchildren in Kent, Surrey and Hampshire from my first marriage.I have other family members in the UK too. While Zoom and Facetime keep us in regular contact, it’s not the same as a hug and being there to help.
What challenges have you faced living abroad?
All our problems started after the 2016 referendum and became much worse after the Withdrawal Agreement. A few examples of challenges:
90 Day Rule
Many of my sailing association members have a holiday home here and a boat they pay annual mooring fees for. Due to the 90 day rule several are now leaving Spain. We had to work with the Royal Yachting Association to prevent Spain from no longer recognising our international sailing qualifications. A Scottish neighbour, who has been coming here for 20 years, is now selling up, as he can’t cope with the 90 day rule.
Erasmus
I have a granddaughter with a post graduate in fashion and marketing, who wanted to get experience in France. Another granddaughter with an MA in dance and social studies. As with all artistic groups, there are now restrictions on performing in the EU. Our youth have been denied the opportunities of Erasmus +.
How would a dedicated MP benefit Britons abroad?
We have nobody representing our interests now. We feel forgotten. With a dedicated MP we could work together to start re-building links with the EU for the benefit of both. There are many areas with potential for a bilateral agreement on specific issues. But these now have to be negotiated with 27 different nations. We could explore twinning UK and EU constituencies.