CITIZENSHIP – A HUMAN RIGHT It is Liberal Democratic Party policy to bring forward legislation to create overseas constituencies and votes for life for the British diaspora abroad. The Election Manifestos of 2017 and 2019 are explicit on this matter. Currently, British citizens living outside the UK loose their right to vote in Parliamentary elections and referenda after 15 years of absence; their enfranchisement ceases. After BREXIT, Britons living in the European Union will lose their local voting rights (European Parliamentary and Municipal Elections) and as they pass the 15-year threshold, they become completely disenfranchised for life. Is this democratic? No this is an infringement of their human rights? This situation is merely a symptom of a much deeper problem; it cuts to the core of the rights of British citizens in general and not just of those living abroad. We have all heard of the Windrush scandal, fewer are aware of the enforced displacement of the Chagossians from the British Indian Ocean Territory and recently more will be aware of the human rights infringements of the British Chinese, primarily in Hong Kong. These examples, along with the impending disenfranchisement of Britons living Europe are human rights violations. But why? The unreformed UK State post empire is not fit for purpose. Whereas 21st century democracies have codified the rights and responsibilities of their citizenry in law, the UK has steadfastly refused to address the systemic failures of an unwritten constitution. UK Common Law has not kept pace with the needs of British citizens in a globalised world and especially does not define ’British Citizen’ in terms of what a ‘British Citizen’ can expect from the State and what the State can expect from its citizenry. A ‘Civil Code’, such as exists in most countries, would contain this definition. A factor in being a ‘British Citizen’ is the right to vote and be represented in Parliament. There is a spectrum of consequential benefits to the recognition of universal rights of British citizens wherever they may live in our global village. For the citizen, the right to State protection worldwide as opposed to the refusal by the Government to meet ransom demands from kidnappers whatever the circumstances; a bi-product of tacit support for the offshore re-insurance industry and US political hegemony. For the British State, a single Electoral Registration Office to administer Overseas Constituencies would bolster consular support for Britons abroad. The Overseas Territories (tax havens) would become more transparent and thus make their full contribution to UK taxation! The case for Overseas Constituencies is important and urgent. It is a fundamental matter of human rights and it is doorway into opening the discussion about the rights and responsibilities of the British State and its citizenry. Let’s stand up for our own human rights. Paul Fisher Chair LibDems in France As published in LibDem Voice