11/04/2024
Thank you Harry Shindler .
When I was about 10 years old I remember my grandfather telling me that I must vote, even if I only voted for the good-looking one, because women died to get me my vote. I moved to France in 1988 and at the time I was told that I could only vote in the UK for 25 years, which seemed like forever back then. I didn’t vote because I thought it a bit of a cheek since I no longer lived there and what went on there was really no longer any of my business. Until, of course, the Brexit vote - that’s when I found out that somewhere along the line the 25 years had been shrunk to 15! I wouldn’t have been able to vote anyway since by Brexit time I’d been living in France for over 30 years. Right up until Brexit I consoled myself with my local vote here in France and the European elections. So, its been a few years now that I have been completely disenfranchised!
I had heard that the UK had had its knuckles rapped about this particular bit of naughtiness and that someone had taken them to court and won. That was Harry Shindler who fought for 20 years to get his British vote back - and finally won. Although Harry got to see the legislation pass through parliament he didn’t get to vote before he died at the ripe old age of 101. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Harry.
I have just registered to vote on line - and have my parents to thank for keeping all my early documents for me - whilst rummaging around I managed to find an Official Poll Card from Birmingham District Council from 1983, addressed to me with my maiden name, living in a tower block that has since been demolished at a remarkably minimalist postcode that couldn’t be recognised by the site. Also found a letter from the Department of Social Security telling me about my National Insurance contributions for 1988/1989 (equally minimalist!) which obligingly gave me my NI number. So thank you Mum and Dad for saving these bits of historic necessity for me.
I have had to register for a postal vote because my proxy would need to vote in Birmingham - if anyone is interested the deadline for applying for a postal vote is the 17th April this year… so not much time left - Thank you Richard for your timely nudge.
I’m still waiting to hear if my application for a postal vote has been accepted but the emails from Birmingham City Council have been very prompt this far and I’m ever the optimist.
Good luck anyone else who’s planning to do this and get your skates on!
Thank you Harry, Ruth, Brian and Richard.❤
Lots of love
Tracy
