Tories hope 'minister for expats' pledge persuades last-minute voters to sign up

Minister will 'address the specific issues that matter to Britons living abroad'

A woman waving the British flag during the live screening of King Charles' coronation at Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The Conservatives highlighted their pledge to create a minister for expats as the party appealed for voters abroad to sign up to cast their ballots in the July 4 UK general election, with hours to go to a registration deadline.

The commitment, first made in the party’s manifesto which was released last week, aims to ensure there is a position in government fighting for the rights of citizens living abroad.

In a message shared on Monday, just a day ahead of a Tuesday midnight deadline to register to vote in the election, Conservatives Abroad Chairman Heather Harper urged Britons to register before it is “too late to have their say”.

Ms Harper told The National: "Conservatives Abroad have a clear plan for a Minister with special responsibilities for British overseas citizens  so that they can have their issues, whether tax, pensions, visa arrangements, tuition fees, bank accounts or other specific issues, heard across government. This is in the Conservative Party manifesto."

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged British citizens abroad to sign up – and vote for his party – in a direct appeal to overseas voters.

“We’re the only party which really thinks about British citizens living abroad,” he said.

“Liberal Democrats want to ensure that British citizens’ voices are heard, no matter where they live in the world, by introducing overseas constituencies. They believe it is the best way to effectively and fairly represent the needs and interests of Brits abroad.”

Labour, which is on course for an easy victory, according to polls, told The National that the opportunity to vote in the election is one which should be grasped by all Britons abroad.

The spokesman added: "Whether they have just left the UK or been away for decades, British citizens abroad (and certainly their friends and families back home) have been deeply affected by this chaotic Conservative government.

"We urge all potential overseas voters to register right away, and help bring in the change our home country desperately needs."

About five million Britons live abroad, and this year's election will be the first that more than half of them will be eligible to vote in, after a law removed a 15-year cap on their rights.

This affects up to three million citizens living abroad who have either lived in or been registered to vote in Britain.

The Electoral Commission told The National that 73,653 overseas electors have submitted applications to register to vote since the announcement of the general election on May 22.

The largest number of overseas applications were made the following day, on May 23, with 9,507 applications submitted.

In total, around 137,000 Brits abroad have registered this year, most of whom signed up after the law changed on January 16.

Around 61,000 remain on the register, meaning just 199,000 Britons living overseas could take part in the election on July 4.

The UAE is the most popular country of residence for expatriates after Germany and Spain, with 240,000 British people resident in Dubai alone, according to the Expat Insider 2023 report.

To register, British citizens must provide their national insurance number and last UK postcode.

Their votes will be counted at the last UK address they were registered to vote at or lived at, and they can exercise their democratic right to vote by a trusted proxy or by post.

UK general election campaigning - in pictures

Conservative leader Rishi Sunak speaks at party campaign event at the National Army Museum in London on Wednesday, July 3. AP Photo

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer addresses supporters during a visit to the West Regwm Farm events venue in Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales, on the final day of election campaigning. PA

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey drives a tractor during a visit to Owl Lodge in Lacock, Wiltshire. PA

Satirical political character Count Binface in London before challenging Conservative leader RishiSunak for the parliamentary seat of Richmond and Northallerton. Reuters

Boris Johnson, former UK prime minister, campaigns for the Conservatives in London. Bloomberg

Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right Reform UK Party, with heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora during a campaign visit to Clacton-on-Sea in eastern England. Reuters

Mr Sunak holds a speech during his visit to Well Healthcare Supplies as he campaigns in Stoke. Getty Images

Mr Starmer laughs as he speaks to supporters near Milton Keynes. AP

Mr Davey bungee jumps during a visit to Eastbourne Borough Football Club in East Sussex. AP

Mr Sunak bowls during his visit to Nuneaton Cricket Club. AFP

Mr Starmer addresses an audience of Labour Party members and supporters during a rally at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London. AP

Mr Davey rides a towable inflatable during a visit to Lakeside Ski & Wake, in the Cotswolds. Reuters

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London. AFP

Mr Starmer during a visit to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Kingsbury, London. PA

Mr Davey participates in a Zumba class with supporters in Wokingham. Reuters

Mr Starmer speaking during a visit to Northampton Town Football Club at Sixfields Stadium. PA

Mr Sunak delivers a speech in central London. AFP

Mr Davey jet-washes an ambulance in London. Getty Images

Mr Starmer rests his hand on the shoulder of Idris Elba as they meet families of knife crime victims, in west London. PA

Mr Sunak turns on the power in the training centre control room during a tour of the Sizewell B nuclear power plant. AFP

Mr Davey plays a game of Frisbee on a visit to a farm in Hampshire. AP

Mr Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visit a supermarket in Swindon. PA

Mr Sunak speaks to journalists on the campaign bus following the launch of the Welsh Conservatives General Election manifesto near Rhyl. Reuters

Mr Davey taking part in wheelbarrow racing at Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town football club in Somerset. PA

Mr Farage speaks to the press in Clacton-on-Sea. Bloomberg

Mr Starmer speaks at the launch of the Labour party's 2024 general election manifesto in Manchester. AP

Mr Sunak answers questions from the audience in Grimsby. Getty Images

Mr Davey toasts a marshmallow as he visits Willow Forest School in Surrey. EPA

Mr Farage attends the launch of the Reform UK manifesto in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Reuters

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar launches Scottish Labour’s battle bus campaign on June 17 in South Queensferry, Scotland. Getty Images

Britain's Labour Party politician and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting speaks to a television crew outside the BBC in London. AFP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, on the BBC 1 current affairs programme, Sunday, with Laura Kuenssberg. BBC

Mr Sunak meets pupils in a maths class during a visit to the John Whitgift Academy, in Grimsby. AP

Mr Starmer during a visit to Grimsby Institute, a technical training college in Grimsby. PA

Mr Davey during a general election campaign visit to the Aqua Jungle Spot in Stratford-upon-Avon. Bloomberg

Mr Sunak and Akshata Murty take centre stage at the Conservative Party's general election manifesto launch in Towcester. Getty Images

Mr Starmer passes a toothbrush to a child during his visits to the Whale Hill Primary School in Middlesbrough. AP

Mr Davey meets Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat candidate for Torbay and his guide dog Jennie at Torquay Harbour. Getty Images

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts after something is thrown towards him on the campaign bus in Cawthorne, Barnsley. AP

Mr Sunak attends a neighbourhood watch meeting in Horsham, West Sussex. PA

Mr Starmer helps volunteers pot plants during a visit to Harlesden Town Garden in north-west London. PA

Mr Davey on the 'Rush' ride during a Liberal Democrats general election campaign event at Thorpe Park. Reuters

Mr Sunak, during a visit to Imagination Childcare, in Swindon, Wiltshire, while on the election campaign trail. PA

Mr Starmer visits Brent Cross town's visitor pavilion for a housing launch in London. Getty Images

Mr Davey grills burgers in a garden, during campaigning in Wiltshire. PA

Mr Sunak during a visit to Leander Club, in Henley-on-Thames, as a boat carrying Liberal Democrat supporters passes behind him. Reuters

Mr Starmer meets pensioners to talk about the impact of the energy crisis and the cost of living, in a cafe in Bolton. PA

Mr Sunak and Mr Starmer lock horns the first televised general election debate of the campaign, at MediaCity in Salford. PA

Mr Davey plays Jenga using symbolic 'blue wall' blocks in Stockport. EPA

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses outside Islington Town Hall, north London, after handing in his nomination papers for the general election, taking place on July 4. PA

Mr Farage has a milkshake hurled at him during a campaign event in Clacton-on-Sea. EPA

Mr Sunak launches the Conservative Party's campaign bus at Redcar Racecourse in north-east England. PA

Labour launch their election campaign bus, with Mr Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor, in Uxbridge. Getty Images

Mr Davey holds a balloon with a figure that represents the amount of votes the Liberal Democrat party lost by in Wimbledon. PA

Mr Sunak feeds lambs as he visits Rowlinson's Farm during a Conservative general election campaign event in Gawsworth. Reuters

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Mr Starmer, shadow secretary of state for energy security and net zero Ed Miliband and local candidate Martin McCluskey in Greenock. PA

Mr Sunak holds a question and answer session during a visit to Niftylift in Milton Keynes. EPA

Mr Starmer serves ice cream to day trippers on Barry seafront in South Wales. PA

Mr Davey takes part in a baking lesson with pupils from High Beeches Primary School during a half-term holiday camp in Hertfordshire. PA

Mr Sunak speaks with a cafe worker as he picks up breakfast for the media at a cafe in Cornwall. PA

Mr Starmer speaks at the launch of Labour's six steps for change in Wales at the Priory Centre in Abergavenny. PA

Mr Davey and Anna Sabine, parliamentary candidate for Frome and East Somerset, ride the Ultimate Slip 'n' Slide at Eastcote Farm in Beckington. Bloomberg

Scottish National Party Leader John Swinney speaks during a visit to The Dower House Cafe in Edinburgh. AP

Rishi Sunak examines Jackal armoured vehicles during his visit to defence vehicle manufacturer Supacat in Exeter. PA

Keir Starmer with a baby at Worcester City Football Club. PA

Ed Davey rides a bike during a visit to Knighton, Wales. PA

Nigel Farage at the cliffs in Dover after speaking at a Reform UK event. Getty Images

Akshata Murty, wife of Mr Sunak, meets with residents during a visit to a Royal British Legion care home in Ripon. Getty Images

Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Rolls Royce’s educational training complex in Derby. PA

Ed Davey falls into the water while paddle boarding on Lake Windermere. PA

Rishi Sunak campaigning in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. EPA

Mr Starmer addresses party members and media in Lancing Parish Hall, West Sussex. Getty Images

Mr Davey launches his party's general election campaign battle bus in Cambridge. PA

Mr Sunak on the ball during a visit to Chesham United Football Club. PA

Mr Starmer speaks to party supporters after making his first keynote speech of the campaign in Lancing. PA

Mr Davey join supporters for a dog walk near Winchester. PA

Mr Sunak visits a maritime technology centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as he campaigns for the general election on July 4. Reuters

Mr Starmer and his Scottish counterpart, Anas Sarwar, greet supporters at the launch of the Scottish Labour general election campaign at Caledonia House in Glasgow. Getty Images

Mr Davey, right, eats ice cream with his party's local candidate, Josh Babarinde, on the promenade in Eastbourne. PA

Mr Sunak arrives at Inverness Airport, in Scotland, on the general election campaign trail. PA

Mr Starmer during a visit to Gillingham Football Club in Kent. PA

Mr Sunak speaks with members of staff at the Global Energy Group facility at the Port of Nigg in north-east Scotland. AFP

Mr Davey during a visit to the town centre in Cheltenham. PA

Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, attends an election campaign launch in London. AP

Mr Sunak holds a Q&A with staff of a West Transport distribution centre in Ilkeston in the East Midlands. AP

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner and Mr Starmer arrive at Gillingham FC. Getty Images

Mr Sunak takes questions from workers at West Transport. Getty Images

Mr Starmer holds a piece of campaign branding at Gillingham. PA

Mr Sunak poses for a selfie in Ilkeston. AFP

Who can vote

You must be either a British citizen, or an eligible Irish citizen registering to vote in Northern Ireland.

Registration

The first step for a British citizen living overseas who wants to vote in the election is registration.

In Northern Ireland, you must register on a paper form but it can be done online for the rest of the UK.

You will need to provide details, such as your passport number, plus the address and time you were last registered or resident in the UK.

Local authorities, which are responsible for the electoral roll in their area, must be able to verify your identity and past connection to the area.

You can find contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place you lived in the UK, using the commission's postcode tool.

Proxy and postal votes

After registration, voters can choose whether to vote by proxy or post.

Anyone wishing to apply for a postal vote must do so by 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.

Alternatively, you can apply for a proxy vote, which means you ask someone who is already a registered voter to cast a ballot on your behalf. They must already be eligible to vote in the election and bring their ID.

The parties' pledges

The Tories have pledged to cut National Insurance by another 2 per cent to 6 per cent, while giving an assurance that income tax and VAT will not rise. On migration, another big issue, the Conservatives plan to introduce an annual cap.

Labour’s manifesto included targeted tax increases, including closing non-dom loopholes and applying VAT and business rates on private school fees. It said there would be no rise in income tax and NI, but it has not ruled out changes to capital gains tax or pensions tax relief.