We have lost our right to vote

A SELECTION OF READERS' COMMENTS FOLLOWING THE UK GENERAL ELECTION AFTER 20 YEARS I AM INTERESTED BUT DISENFRANCHISED I AM one of those who was up all night, despite the fact that I am

not eligible to vote, having last been resident in the UK well over 20 years ago. I do not feel strongly that I should be allowed to vote in Britain (although I still pay some taxes there).

However, I do feel very strongly that as a citizen of a member state of the European Union who is resident within the European Union, I should be eligible to vote _somewhere._ The most

logical arrangement in my view would be to be eligible to vote in one's country of residence, after a suitable qualifying period of residence, eg. three years, or perhaps five. At the

moment I am completely disenfranchised, which is unfair and surely contrary to the ideals of any sort of pan-European political entity. On the basis of 'no taxation without

representation' I ought to be eligible to vote in both the UK and France IAN HOLFORD YOUNG PACA MOST EU COUNTRIES DO NOT CUT OFF VOTE – WHY UK? I was in the UK campaigning on behalf of

an MP who is a close friend, so I was there on the ground. Not a single vote was cast for a hung parliament - that option was not on the ballot paper, but by staying at home (a third of the

electorate) perhaps the message was "Get together and sort things out". I feel that the 15 year cut-off point is unfair as many of us are UK tax payers - and not by choice - we

should have a continuing voice. Most other European countries allow their nationals to vote in elections ad infinitum - but they have different election systems to the UK. Maybe there should

be a change for the UK - and quickly. DICK SMITH CRAZANNES (17) I'M A LOCAL _CONSEILLER_ AND I STILL CAN'T VOTE Having lived in France permanently since 1995 I view with a mixture

of horror and embarrassment the posturing of UK politicians (especially their total lack of interest in matters European.) Despite being a _conseiller municipal_ since 2000 I resent having

neither a UK nor a national French vote (local and European elections apart). I point out to my French fellow _conseillers_ that for this reason alone the American colonies went to war with

the English; it amuses them no end. At least in a small commune one is immediately answerable to the villagers for decisions taken in council. _Vive la démocratie!_ PAUL CHAMBERS BURGUNDY.

IT’S STILL OUT COUNTRY AND IT NEEDS STRONG LEADERSHIP TO SAVE IT Of course ex-pats should be voting in the UK General Election. It is still our country after all and many of us still pay

taxes in the UK. We’re completely devastated by the election results and yes, we stayed up all night watching on T.V. Those people who said they 'wanted a hung parliament' must

have lost it big time. What possible good can hung parliament do for the country. The UK is in a big mess and needs someone to take the reigns and pull us out of the mire. David Cameron can

do that and if it has to be with the aid of the Liberals then so be it. Anything, absolutely anything is better than the deplorable Labour Government who have brought our country to its

knees. HATTIE BRETAGNE THE MESSAGE IS TO AVOID EXTREMES I have been absolutely fascinated with the election this year. After 13 years of Labour Government it was reasonable to expect the

Conservatives to storm home with a massive majority. But no we have a hung parliament. I believe there is a strong message here. The public want a moderate government. Not far right, not far

left but a middle of the road. Maybe a coalition will provide just that. I await the outcome with great interest. CAROL FRASER WE’RE ARE NOT ‘DISPLACED PEOPLE’ If you are a British citizen,

holder of a British passport and have children grand-children and great-grandchildren living in the UK, of course you should have a vote in British national elections. The fact that after a

lifetime of working and paying taxes in the UK you retire to another EU country should not make you a "displaced person". I have made my views on this situation made known to

British politicians for some time but they are so busy fiddling their expenses that they cannot find time to reply . God save the Queen and God help her subjects. ROY HUBBARD WE SHOULD

EITHER BE ALLOWED TO VOTE HERE OR THERE No, we did not stay up and watch the elections, but we have watched some of the aftermath. I strongly believe that British expats should be allowed to

vote either in France or in Britain. We have been told we are not allowed to vote while in France, neither are we allowed to vote in the elections in France, except for the local mayoral

team. I am all for proportional representation, I certainly hope they change the method in UK. JANET B. FARRINGTON CORRÈZE