British expat campaigns for designated MP

Should British expats get their own MP?

The state of the nation has always been a hugely decisive factor as to why Brits have left the UK in their droves. But living abroad hasn’t always meant cutting ties altogether, and many expats sometimes feel in limbo – culturally and politically, especially.

But one dedicated British expat is campaigning to change all that. Peter Johnson, 64, is a retired policeman who lived in France, Germany and Malta before settling in Spain six years ago. Johnson is calling for the creation of a British MP whose sole responsibility is to look after the interests of UK expats.

Johnson began a petition for a designated expat MP after learning that the French government has created a new constituency for Northern Europe whose sole aim is to listen to the needs and interests of French expats residing in Scandinavia, Ireland and the UK. Italy has also provided expat MPs since 2006.

“There are millions of Brits living abroad and they deserve a say in what goes on,” said Johnson. “Many of them are still paying tax in the UK in one way or another, and they should have a say on where their money goes.”

British expats are free to vote in UK elections, but only in the constituency that they last lived in, and only for the first 15 years of their expatriation, after which time they no longer have a say.

Johnson’s cause is not a new one, but the British government has been unyielding in its resolve. However, with David Cameron’s announcement that he will call a referendum on EU membership in 2015 should he still be Prime Minister, Brits abroad are worried where this leaves them.

Currently, British expats facing legal wranglings can call upon the European Court of Human Rights to fight their case. A non-EU Britain could leave millions in legal limbo.