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What has the General Election in the UK, on the other side of the World, got to do with me, I hear you ask? Well, it has plenty to do with me; I still pay tax and national insurance in the UK and with my Father fast approaching old age, I am concerned what a Tory victory in the UK, would mean for my Dad's long term care, should he need it. Despite living in Australia, I do have a vested interest in the outcome of the British election, just like many millions of expats all over the World.

During my lifetime, I have voted for every political party; I am not a political activist (except for a brief period in the early 1990s, when I was a member of the 'Anti-Nazi League'), nor have I ever campaigned for a particular political party or have an affiliation to any one of them. My views change, depending on the politics of the day, and I listen to what all parties have to say — even the ones whose views leave a bad taste in my mouth!
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This week I received my voting papers from Southampton City Council, the last place I lived in the UK. Of course, they were delivered far too late for me to vote; after contacting Auspost here in Western Australia, they made it abundantly clear, my ballot would not be received on time and sadly, on this occasion, I would not be able to vote in the general election. To say I was livid is an understatement! The six-week campaign in the UK has been one of the longest in history, yet my old local council couldn't even get a ballot form to me in good speed — that I find shocking and completely unacceptable.

I was determined to vote in the election, because it was important to make my voice heard. These last 14 years of Conservative Government have been an utter shambles. The UK has become a laughingstock, as my old home went from one disaster to another. Led by five different Prime Ministers, the country has gone from bad to worse as Brexit, the economy, high taxes and political instability has become the order of the day.

When I left the UK in 2022, I was glad to leave a failing Britain. The politics, weather, and most importantly, unelected Prime Minister, had literally driven me away from a country I loved. I no longer felt comfortable living in Britain, and I was just grateful for the chance to restart my life on the other side of the World — Not many people, especially at my age, have that opportunity.

Unable to vote myself, I would encourage all of you to engage in the political process. My preference would be for a resounding Labour victory, but whoever you vote for, just get out and put that cross on the ballot paper. I will of course be following this election closely. Rather like I did in 1997, when Tony Blair won a landslide, and Darrell and I returned home from Australia to the UK. This time, however, no matter what happens, we will both be staying firmly in Perth. I can never see a time, where I am living in Britain again. Nevertheless, I believe my future as an expat, will be more secure, with a Labour victory, and I hope you also feel the same, living in the UK.

Get out on July 4th, vote Labour, vote for change!
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