Are RAF pilots not permitted to vote ?
mostly harmless
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Servicemen used not to be allowed to register at their home address but had to have a postal vote, the registration form that arrived in the mail used to say ‘do not sign if you are a member of the armed forces’ so perhaps this is the root of our friend’s misunderstanding?
When I was spending a considerable amount of my time in the Middle East I missed a couple of elections and my postal vote would only find its way to my tent after voting had closed back in the UK. I was somewhat miffed that, as a supposed defender of democracy I was seemingly denied my right to partake in it, so the next time the form arrived at home I signed the electoral register like any other citizen of the UK. I figured that if I was away and unable to present myself at the polling station to exercise my democratic right to vote I’d be no worse off than before. As it happened I never missed another election and I was prepared to argue my case if I was ever ‘found out’.
When I was spending a considerable amount of my time in the Middle East I missed a couple of elections and my postal vote would only find its way to my tent after voting had closed back in the UK. I was somewhat miffed that, as a supposed defender of democracy I was seemingly denied my right to partake in it, so the next time the form arrived at home I signed the electoral register like any other citizen of the UK. I figured that if I was away and unable to present myself at the polling station to exercise my democratic right to vote I’d be no worse off than before. As it happened I never missed another election and I was prepared to argue my case if I was ever ‘found out’.
I was registered as a 'Service Voter' at my home address and my father was registered as my proxy. That continued for many years until Mrs 4ma arrived on the scene and a more settled existence began.
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Ninthace
That time did include IOT. I started as NS, under 18, and my logbook shows a week at Padgate followed by holding for 5 weeks at ACTU (Air Crew Transit Unit) at Cranwell. That was followed by 6 weeks at Kirton Lindsey 'grading' on Tigers, before starting IOT proper at ITS at Jurby. I was set to do flying training in Canada, but went to RAFC instead, arriving there exactly 6 months after call-up. Even so, I had my wings before I was 21.
None of this time counted towards a pension of course
That time did include IOT. I started as NS, under 18, and my logbook shows a week at Padgate followed by holding for 5 weeks at ACTU (Air Crew Transit Unit) at Cranwell. That was followed by 6 weeks at Kirton Lindsey 'grading' on Tigers, before starting IOT proper at ITS at Jurby. I was set to do flying training in Canada, but went to RAFC instead, arriving there exactly 6 months after call-up. Even so, I had my wings before I was 21.
None of this time counted towards a pension of course
Firstly Not RAF.
Secondly I reside outside of the UK, however i have a right to vote for fifteen years after choosing to move.
All of this is confirmed by the authority of my original place of birth and residence for six decades.
Yet I am never sent any sort of voting form !
So what is going on ?
Secondly I reside outside of the UK, however i have a right to vote for fifteen years after choosing to move.
All of this is confirmed by the authority of my original place of birth and residence for six decades.
Yet I am never sent any sort of voting form !
So what is going on ?
There was a time when my name in the electoral register was followed by the letter S, indicating I was told that I was a service voter. The snotty cow who handed me my voting slip told me she had no no idea that we were allowed to vote. I told her that by the mid 1960s, some of us could also read and write
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(This was in the antipodean services, though. No holding.)
I was acquainted with Taja.
Teenage jet ace.
..as labelled by the local paper.
Not sure whether this was to mark a squadron debut or jet training on the James Provost.
The name followed him around.
Teenage jet ace.
..as labelled by the local paper.
Not sure whether this was to mark a squadron debut or jet training on the James Provost.
The name followed him around.
Firstly Not RAF.
Secondly I reside outside of the UK, however i have a right to vote for fifteen years after choosing to move.
All of this is confirmed by the authority of my original place of birth and residence for six decades.
Yet I am never sent any sort of voting form !
So what is going on ?
Secondly I reside outside of the UK, however i have a right to vote for fifteen years after choosing to move.
All of this is confirmed by the authority of my original place of birth and residence for six decades.
Yet I am never sent any sort of voting form !
So what is going on ?
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Those who joined at 17 1/2 straight from school in the 60s and went through training with no holding (yes that did happen) could be on a front-line Sqn before their 20th birthday. I know at least one who did that, and he went on to have a successful FJ career that took him to 1-star rank.
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There was a time when my name in the electoral register was followed by the letter S, indicating I was told that I was a service voter. The snotty cow who handed me my voting slip told me she had no no idea that we were allowed to vote. I told her that by the mid 1960s, some of us could also read and write
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Avoid imitations
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The current procedures regarding the registration of UK overseas voters are very easy to access online. I've never understood this desire to take part in UK votes that are irrelevant to you if you now live permanently overseas. If you've got a burning desire for democratic representation it would make more sense to take whatever steps are necessary to take part in elections that directly affect you where you now live.
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The current procedures regarding the registration of UK overseas voters are very easy to access online. I've never understood this desire to take part in UK votes that are irrelevant to you if you now live permanently overseas. If you've got a burning desire for democratic representation it would make more sense to take whatever steps are necessary to take part in elections that directly affect you where you now live.
It's just a shame HMRC don't play the same game and let you off the hook when non-resident with regard to paying UK NI and UK income Tax on earnings generated in some lines of work, or paying UK income tax on some pensions.
How does it go: No taxation without representation?
"How does it go: No taxation without representation?"
that was a an American scheme - the British fought a war against that principle
that was a an American scheme - the British fought a war against that principle
As a Navigator, I joined my first Squadron in 1963 aged 19yrs and 7 mths. This included 1 month holding before Nav School
and another month before Canberra OCU and 2 Bombing Courses. Jet pilots took 6 months longer, but I believe that Rotary
was, at that time, about the same time as Navs.
There was a Whirlwind pilot in 1964/65 with a DFC who I believe was under 21.
On thread always had the vote from age 21 as Service Voter with Postal/Proxy arrangements without any problems.
and another month before Canberra OCU and 2 Bombing Courses. Jet pilots took 6 months longer, but I believe that Rotary
was, at that time, about the same time as Navs.
There was a Whirlwind pilot in 1964/65 with a DFC who I believe was under 21.
On thread always had the vote from age 21 as Service Voter with Postal/Proxy arrangements without any problems.
I know and every spring when the tax return forms from UK HMRC drop through the letter box, chez nous, I think our American friends might have had a point...