MORE than 177,000 people registered to vote yesterday as the fight to form the next government got underway.
Is it a coincidence that this mega busy day for electoral offices around the country happened after we launched our big new campaign to get people signed up on the roll? Well, probably, yes, because it wasn’t just us pushing for it.
Celebrities and almost all political parties took to social media, urging the unregistered to spend two minutes to make sure they got their vote.
Most of those adding their name to the roll yesterday were under the age of 34. Near enough 60,000 of them were under 25, while 56,000 were aged between 25 and 34.
READ MORE: Signing up Scots to vote is crucial for the Yes movement
The mass rush of saw around 27,000 35 to 44 year old, 16,800 45 to 54 year olds, 10,500 55 to 64 year olds and 5357 65 to 74 year olds, and just 2259 of the over 75s
This is probably going to be the most important election the country has faced in years. Whatever happens, Westminster, the UK, Scotland, Europe, won’t be the same.
Have you registered to vote yet?
If you have access to the internet, stop what you’re doing right now and head over to registertovote.scot. It’ll take less than five minutes.
If you don’t have access to the web you can contact your local electoral registration office. You should be able to find their number in the phone book.
Anyone over the age of 18 and a British or Irish or Commonwealth citizen – who meets certain eligibility criteria – can vote.
British citizens living abroad who have been registered to vote in the last 15 years also get a say in December’s poll.
Yesterday, there were calls for the 1.8 million British expats in EU to make sure they register to vote.
Nigel Green, chief executive and founder of deVere Group, which has more than 80,000 mainly expatriate clients in 100 countries globally, said:
“Many expats, quite rightly, remain angry and frustrated that even if they were eligible to participate in the 2016 Brexit referendum, the registration process took too long and was too burdensome, and ultimately they were unable to do so.
“It is particularly galling as those expats resident within the EU27 are disproportionately affected by Brexit.
“For instance, if there is a No-Deal Brexit, which remains
a slight yet dangerous possibility, it is likely that their pensions, insurance and healthcare will be adversely affected overnight.”
READ MORE: Why YOU need to register to vote ... and help us win #indyref2020!
He continued: “As this critical General Election is, in effect, a second Brexit referendum, they should act now to register to vote in order to ensure their voice is heard.
“This will also help to counteract the injustice of the fact that 700,000-plus British expats are disenfranchised from the UK political system after 15 years overseas and were denied the vote on something that directly affects them.
“All other G7 countries except the UK allow their citizens voting rights for life. Why is Britain different? It’s especially frustrating that many are still liable for UK inheritance tax, amongst others, but are not allowed to vote in the UK after 15 years.
“Whatever happened to ‘no taxation without representation’?”
Green concluded: “Expats’ futures hang in the balance with this general election as it will inevitably shape Brexit’s direction of travel.”
“If they are eligible to do so under the current archaic rules – which must be updated in the next parliament – expats should register to vote sooner rather than later.”
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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