Gulf-based Brits could decide General Election: April 20th last day for voter registration

The General Election of May 6th could be one of the closest for a generation and Brits based in the Gulf could influence the decision in a number of constituencies,

Heather Harper, Patron of Gulf Tories, says that key constituencies like Hammersmith and Crawley could be enough to decide the result. "In these areas, less than 100 votes each way are predicted to be enough to decide the outcome not only for that constituency but for the election as a whole. As it is estimated that there are perhaps as many as 100,000 eligible British voters in the GCC it is very possible that the result of the British General Election could turn on overseas votes."

Talking about the campaign to get expatriates living in the Gulf region registered to vote, Gulf Tories chairman, Douglas Hansen-Luke, said; “For the last three months this group have been alerting locally-based British citizens of their right to vote and how to go about it.”

Talking about the role expatriates can play in the Conservative plans after the manifesto launch, Philip Dunne, Deputy Chairman of the International Office of the Conservative party, with responsibility for Conservatives Abroad said “British citizens living overseas have a role to play in helping to solve the big problems the UK faces and help change the country for the better.. Living and working overseas, British expats can help promote British services and products, skills, technologies and education around the world. Our expats will only do that if they feel a part of what is going on in Britain today. The Conservative Manifesto invites British expats to get involved.”

Heather Harper: General Election is biggest chance to change Government in decade

Heather Harper, Patron of Gulf Tories, says that Britain's coming General Election presents the biggest chance in over a decade to change the Government but that the result is still close to call.

If you are British and were formerly registered in any of the following constituencies, then this could be your chance to make a real difference:

Battersea
Crawley
Croydon Central
Fulham
Hammersmith
Harlow
Sittingbourne and Sheppey

In each of these areas, less than 100 votes each way are predicted to be enough to decide the outcome not only for that constituency but for the election as a whole. As it is estimated that there are perhaps as many as 100,000 eligible British voters in the GCC it is very possible that the result of the British General Election could turn on overseas votes.

For this reason Gulf Tories are working hard throughout the GCC to ensure that every UK national is made aware of what's at stake and how to register to vote.
The deadline to register to vote is 31st March.

Forms can be downloaded at www.don'tleaveyourvoteathome.com or http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

For more information on how to register or vote, Gulf Tories recommend contacting their campaign co-ordinator Gillian Fischer on gillian.fischer@gulftories.com

Gulf Daily News » Local News » Consevatives Abroad meet British leaders

Some of you may have already seen the coverage in the GDN on Conservatives Abroad but if not here is the link:

Gulf Daily News » Local News » Conservatives Abroad meet British leaders

That evening we were also able to meet with Hugo Swire MP, who is also Secretary of the Conservative Middle Council. He expressed his great interest in mobilizing a network of Conservative expatriates throughout the Middle East to encourage eligible voters to participate in the forthcoming general election.

Things have indeed moved quickly in the last few days but we intend to keep this momentum going and we are currently in the process of organizing a number of other events whose keynote speakers will include important political figures from Westminster. We have had the commitment of these Conservative leaders that there will be further visits in the near future and I will be keeping you updated with mailings over the Christmas period. In the meantime we encourage you to stay in touch and for those of you who are eligible and keen to vote please do let us know so that we can organize suitable proxies.

British Conservatives Abroad hold private inaugural drinks in Bahrain

British conservatives abroad holds private inaugural drinks in Bahrain