Campaigners want UK residents overseas to write, stamp and post a simple message to Westminster: give us MPs of our own. The push comes from New Europeans UK and allies at the cross-party parliamentary group on citizens’ rights, who say the end of the old “15-year rule” on voting makes the case for overseas constituencies impossible to ignore. Why overseas constituencies matter and why postcards work Around six million Britons live outside the UK, but only a sliver are registered to vote from abroad — New Europeans puts the figure at about 191,000, compared with 1.7 million French citizens registered overseas. One reason, campaigners argue, is that France (and 16 other countries) already elect MPs for citizens abroad. Those députés are a visible point of contact, they travel, they hold surgeries, and they bang the drum for their communities. “Expecting a constituency MP in, say, Derby to also understand healthcare cards in Spain or visa fees in Portugal is unrealistic,” says Ruvi Ziegler, chair of New Europeans UK. The concerns of Britons abroad are often shared by region — think residency rights in the EU, steep family-visa income thresholds, or “international” fees for students (which from 2028 will also hit many children of British families in France). Dedicated MPs, they say, would give those issues a proper hearing. Why postcards? Former Lib Dem MP Tom Brake, now at Unlock Democracy, told MPs that snail mail cuts through. In-boxes overflow; a postcard from Málaga or Montpellier tends to get read, shown to staff and remembered. The plan is two-pronged: flood Westminster with friendly, personal notes and encourage MPs to table questions so ministers and officials have to engage with the idea. What would change for Britons overseas Backers say the reform is simple: create a handful of regional constituencies for Britons abroad, each with its own MP. That representative would live in or regularly visit the region, hold surgeries, and coordinate with consulates — which could matter in fast-moving crises, from repatriations to wildfires. There’s also a nuts-and-bolts proposal: voter-registration “hubs” in each world region to help people sign up and keep details current. The aim is to move from sporadic, confusing sign-ups to a steady pipeline of engaged voters who know who represents them and how to reach them. Politically, the idea already has backers. Liberal Democrats in Europe say overseas constituencies are party policy. Labour International members support the move (though they don’t speak for the party as a whole) and want it debated at conference. Campaigners are eyeing the next Elections Bill, expected in 2026, as the natural vehicle. How to take part – find your MP and what to write This isn’t a petition; it’s personal outreach. Here’s the gist of what organisers suggest: Find your current UK MP (use the official “Find your MP” tool on the UK Parliament website). Write a postcard from where you live — Nice, Nerja or New York — and keep it warm, human and constructive. Make three points: you still have close ties to the UK; you face issues best handled by a dedicated overseas MP; and you’d like your MP to back overseas constituencies and ask questions in Parliament. If your MP ever visits your area, invite them to meet local Britons abroad. Face-to-face stories land better than any briefing note. Postcards are the point of entry, not the endgame. Campaigners want to show MPs there’s a real, organised electorate beyond Britain’s borders — one that votes, writes and wants to be represented properly. With the 15-year ban scrapped, millions more Britons can now take part. The question for Westminster is whether it will match that new right with modern representation. Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more UK News