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.”

Countdown to General Election

British urged to register soon as election date approaches - The National Newspaper

source: loveday morris, the national, abu dhabi

ABU DHABI // The 200,000 Britons living in the UAE are being urged to register for voting as a general election looms.

No date has yet been set for the election, but it is widely expected to take place on May 6. Those who leave registration until the election is announced will have just a six-day window to post their forms.

“The key really is that people should register as soon as possible,” said Euan Holloway, a spokesman for the Electoral Commission, an independent watchdog.

“If you wait for the announcement, you’ve only got six working days to register, so if you are out in the UAE, and have to post your registration forms back to the UK, that doesn’t leave much time. To minimise the risk of missing out, we are saying do it now.”

The election will be announced 17 working days before Britain goes to the polls, with the deadline for registration 11 working days before the vote. British citizens living abroad can register as overseas voters if they registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years.

There are several voting options – postal voting, proxy voting or proxy postal voting, but all involve posting registration forms back to Britain. Residents cannot vote at the British Embassy.

The commission said voters further afield should not use postal ballots since they were sent out about a week before the election.

“The rule of thumb we say to everyone outside Europe is proxy is probably best unless you have a superb postal system,” said Mr Holloway.

Using the proxy vote option, an overseas resident can nominate a person they trust to vote on their behalf. If that person does not live in the same constituency, they can vote through a postal proxy vote.

Full details and registration forms are available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.

Do you live in Hammersmith or Fulham?

Do you live in Hammersmith or Fulham? If so then the British Conservative Party are saying that your country needs you!

Calling from one of the most marginal of seats in the UK, Hammersmith and Fulham's campaign worker Tara Douglas-Home has contacted Gulf Tories to ask expats to register and vote for the Conservatives.

"Our constituency is one of the most closely fought in the country. Even an extra 100 votes from Londoners based in the Gulf could decide the vote in our Hammersmith and that in turn could make a real difference to the result of the General Election overall."

"In the 2000 US Presidential election just a handful of votes in Florida decided Bush's victory over Al Gore.", says Heather Harper, Patron of Gulf Tories, "We think that there are around 10 constituencies in Britain where the result could be as significant. Hammersmith and Fulham is one of those seats and we have pledged to get their message out in the Middle East."

Anyone British citizen who has a property in Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush or is registered to vote open is able to play a part.

Whatever your Party, for more information on how to register and vote either contact Gillian Fischer, Campaign Co-ordinator for Gulf Tories (gillian.fischer@gulftories.com) or visit these websites www.dontleaveyourvoteathome.com and www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/british_citizens_living_abroad.aspx

"Want to make a difference?"

Britain's ‘Conservatives Abroad’ are pushing out the urgent message to UK nationals that they can make a difference in the forthcoming general election.

To be able to vote and make a difference, Britons abroad must register before the end of March. All British citizens who have been registered in a constituency at any point over the last fifteen years are entitled to vote and this year every vote will count.

In the latest polls the Conservative lead over Labour is just 2%. This is well within the margin of error of polling and essentially means that the vote could go either way.

For those of any party wanting to make a difference, Gulf Tories are recommending that potential voters visit one of these two sites http://www.dontleaveyourvoteathome.com or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to download the Electoral Commission's registration form. They also recommend that to ensure votes arrive on time it is best to nominate friends or relations to act as proxy.

For further comment on British politics or advice on how to register and vote please contact: Gillian Fischer at gillian.fischer@gulftories.com

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

Electoral Commission: Please exercise your right to vote!