Britons living abroad regain right to vote in UK elections as 15-year rule ends

Change to franchise brings UK in line with other major democracies which allow lifelong voting rights

An estimated 3 million Britons living abroad for more than 15 years will regain their right to vote in all elections in the UK from Tuesday, ending 20 years of broken promises by successive UK governments.

The end of the so-called 15-year rule means millions more could be enfranchised in time for the next general election, the date of which has yet to be decided by the prime minister, Rishi Sunak.