Major expats victory as millions win right to vote in next general election (Image: Getty)
A new law, which takes effect from today, means UK citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years can now take part.
It is the biggest increase in the British electoral franchise since the introduction of full female suffrage in 1928.
Those affected will be allowed to vote in the constituencies where they lived before leaving the country.
The previous rule - which removed people living abroad for more than 15 years from the electoral roll - was introduced by Labour in 2001.
Powered By
00:00/03:16
10
10
dx Bombshell Epstein list is released (1)
Share
Next
Stay
Trending
The new changes mean that all eligible UK citizens living abroad have regained their right to vote in British General Elections and referendums.
Upon registration, they will now remain on the electoral roll for up to 3 years.
The change marks a long-standing Conservative Manifesto commitment.
Levelling up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove said: “From today, millions of British nationals across the world can exercise their right to vote in future General Elections and have their say in the way their country should be governed."
"The Conservatives have once again shown that we are the party for democracy and protecting an individual’s right to vote.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nigel Farage issues stark warning Tories have no idea what is 'coming down track'
221 Comments
Rishi Sunak's top advisor blasts Lord Frost for 'undermining Tories' with shocking poll
83 Comments
Humza Yousaf nightmare as devastating new poll shows SNP faces losing 24 MPs
350 Comments
'Obsessed' Humza Yousaf makes bonkers independence speech in face of SNP election defeat
133 Comments
Deluded Humza Yousaf dreams of creating a 'Tory-free Scotland' as SNP plummets in polls
101 Comments
POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here
317 Comments
Reform UK has a great opportunity to prove its critics wrong, says Jonathan Saxty
19 Comments
The neglected UK seaside town where locals think Nigel Farage can bring it back from dead
742 Comments
Andrea Jenkyns in rallying cry to Tories to submit no-confidence letters in Rishi Sunak
188 Comments
Pollster pinpoints where Nigel Farage's Reform UK will do 'most damage' to Rishi Sunak
278 Comments
Post Office scandal proves only Nigel Farage can save 'broken Britain', says Arron Banks
94 Comments
POLL: What are Britain's most beautiful cities, seaside towns and villages?
1 Comments
Nigel Farage may have just revealed where he is going to make his political comeback
427 Comments
The Tories have only themselves to blame for their turmoil
1 Comments
Richard Tice does not just have to save Britain from the Tories - Jonathan Saxty
26 Comments
Suella Braverman warns half of Tory MPs will lose their seats unless PM fixes Rwanda Bill
329 Comments
Tories face 'worst election since 1997' as new poll reveals huge Labour majority
1177 Comments
Rishi Sunak's nightmare start to election year with first poll confirming Tory wipeout
152 Comments
The 40 countries whose elections will change the face of the world in 2024
2 Comments
Shock new analysis gives Sunak hope Labour election win would need to be record breaking
3 Comments
Nigel Farage issues stark warning Tories have no idea what is 'coming down track'
221 Comments
Rishi Sunak's top advisor blasts Lord Frost for 'undermining Tories' with shocking poll
83 Comments
Humza Yousaf nightmare as devastating new poll shows SNP faces losing 24 MPs
350 Comments
'Obsessed' Humza Yousaf makes bonkers independence speech in face of SNP election defeat
133 Comments
Deluded Humza Yousaf dreams of creating a 'Tory-free Scotland' as SNP plummets in polls
101 Comments
POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here
317 Comments
Reform UK has a great opportunity to prove its critics wrong, says Jonathan Saxty
19 Comments
The neglected UK seaside town where locals think Nigel Farage can bring it back from dead
742 Comments
Andrea Jenkyns in rallying cry to Tories to submit no-confidence letters in Rishi Sunak
188 Comments
Pollster pinpoints where Nigel Farage's Reform UK will do 'most damage' to Rishi Sunak
278 Comments
Post Office scandal proves only Nigel Farage can save 'broken Britain', says Arron Banks
94 Comments
POLL: What are Britain's most beautiful cities, seaside towns and villages?
1 Comments
Nigel Farage may have just revealed where he is going to make his political comeback
427 Comments
The Tories have only themselves to blame for their turmoil
1 Comments
Richard Tice does not just have to save Britain from the Tories - Jonathan Saxty
26 Comments
Suella Braverman warns half of Tory MPs will lose their seats unless PM fixes Rwanda Bill
329 Comments
Tories face 'worst election since 1997' as new poll reveals huge Labour majority
1177 Comments
Rishi Sunak's nightmare start to election year with first poll confirming Tory wipeout
152 Comments
The 40 countries whose elections will change the face of the world in 2024
2 Comments
Shock new analysis gives Sunak hope Labour election win would need to be record breaking
3 Comments
Nigel Farage issues stark warning Tories have no idea what is 'coming down track'
221 Comments
Rishi Sunak's top advisor blasts Lord Frost for 'undermining Tories' with shocking poll
83 Comments
Humza Yousaf nightmare as devastating new poll shows SNP faces losing 24 MPs
350 Comments
'Obsessed' Humza Yousaf makes bonkers independence speech in face of SNP election defeat
133 Comments
Deluded Humza Yousaf dreams of creating a 'Tory-free Scotland' as SNP plummets in polls
101 Comments
POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here
317 Comments
Reform UK has a great opportunity to prove its critics wrong, says Jonathan Saxty
19 Comments
Before 2015, the number of overseas Britons registered to vote never exceeded 35,000.
The new changes will allow an estimated 3.4 million additional expats to cast their vote.
There are around 5.6 million Britons living abroad.
Related articles Tory rebels warned 'back Rishi over Rwanda' Nigel Farage may have indicated where he is going to make his political comeback Humza Yousaf nightmare as devastating new poll shows SNP faces losing 24 MPs Tories face 'worst election defeat since 1997' with Starmer set for huge win Penny Mordaunt and Lee Anderson among Tory big beasts facing losing seats
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial