RetireJapan

I know this has been covered in a different thread, but with the election suddenly coming so soon I think it's worth reiterating here:

Key deadlines for the GE on 4 July

Register to vote: Tuesday 18 June at 23.59

Applying for a Voter ID: Wednesday 26 June at 17:00

Applying for a postal vote: Wednesday 19 June at 17.00

Applying for a proxy vote: Wednesday 26 June at 17.00

Everyone can register at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/voting-when-abroad.

Once registered, you can apply for a proxy vote here:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

I'd rather you vote for the party I believe in, but I'd rather you vote for the party I'm opposed than you don't vote at all. Don't lose your chance to vote.

Application for a postal vote: https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

(which I will try and do later).

KyushuWoozy wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2024 11:45 am I'd rather you vote for the party I believe in, but I'd rather you vote for the party I'm opposed than you don't vote at all. Don't lose your chance to vote.

+1.

This might be useful for anyone interested in "gaming" the first-past-the-post system to maximise the chances of getting the outcome most closely alighed with your preferences: https://tactical.vote/

No matter who you vote for, the Government always gets in.

I`m feeling strangely invested in this one. In the past (when I lost the vote for being too many years overseas) I felt like it was up to them and since I don`t live there anymore it made sense that I shouldn`t vote.
Arranged my postal vote this week.

CluelessToshika wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 3:48 am Application for a postal vote: https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

(which I will try and do later).

I was told in an email last week from a "Senior Electoral Services Officer" that a postal vote would probably not arrive back in time. This is because:

"As this election has called at short notice, your postal vote can only be sent out after the deadline for nominating a candidate has passed (which for this election will be 7th June). With other printing practicalities to take into account this will only give a limited time to send your overseas postal vote to you and a very limited time or even no time at all to return it by 10pm on 4th July."

Since I can't vote there in person, and I no longer know anyone in that constituency to act as my proxy (it's the last place I worked and not my hometown constituency) then this only leaves the "proxy voting my mail" option. Hopefully my brother will be able to do this... though that might depend on whether we both want the same outcome or not!

By the way, can anyone recommend a clear and concise chart comparing where the main parties stand on various issues, such as tax, pension, immigration, foreign policy, etc.? Or does such a thing not exist yet? Thanks.

northSaver wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 11:17 am
By the way, can anyone recommend a clear and concise chart comparing where the main parties stand on various issues, such as tax, pension, immigration, foreign policy, etc.? Or does such a thing not exist yet? Thanks.

Labour have been very careful not to commit to any clear policies. They just need to get to election date without dropping the ball.

Chibalass wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 5:27 am I`m feeling strangely invested in this one. In the past (when I lost the vote for being too many years overseas) I felt like it was up to them and since I don`t live there anymore it made sense that I shouldn`t vote.
Arranged my postal vote this week.

Given that our vote was taken away for long term expats (15+ years) by Tony Blair at the turn of the millennium. We should all attempt to vote, given that most of can't vote in Japan. Use it or lose it.

I think the UK should do as France does, and have dedicated MPs for overseas constituents. That would be a super move.

Would the honourable member for the rest of the world please stop banging on about frozen pension payments