§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether those who have paid no taxes in the United Kingdom for as long as 20 years have a right to vote in parliamentary elections; and if so whether this right is compatible with the principle by which they have justified the poll tax—namely, that all who vote should pay the taxes levied by the authority they are electing.
§ Viscount Ullswater: British citizens living abroad may qualify to register as overseas electors, and to vote at parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom for up to 20 years after they have left this country, irrespective of whether they pay taxes here. Overseas electors may not vote at local elections. There is no link between the payment of taxes or the community charge and the right to vote.