DISENFRANCHISED



Today I was able to vote in the European Elections in Spain for a Spanish MEP, although denied the opportunity to vote in the UK elections due to the 15 year rule. 

I was reminded of our lack of vote and voice in the Referendum on our membership of the European Union in 2016, despite promises from UK government and the continual support the EU Parliament for a fair franchise for all EU citizens in general elections and referendums. With the possibility of a referendum to confirm the terms of Brexit it is still vital to continue the campaign to ensure our disenfranchisement can not happen again. I am once again posting my poem 'DISENFRANCHISED' to keep saying in all possible ways that justice needs to be done, we need a legal, informed referendum with a fair franchise for all UKcitizens, regardless of their country of residence and EU citizens long term resident in UK. 

This beautiful image taken by Chris Knight of the moon over our valley illustrates how blessed we are to be able to live here, thanks to Freedom of Movement. 



DISENFRANCHISED


I am a second class citizen, one
of millions, the disenfranchised in a
plebiscite now deemed ‘the people’s will’.
Denied a vote the most affected,
we with lives enriched by the despised,
demonised, ‘freedom to move’  
a right to be removed from the young,
born Europeans, now choked silent. 

Whoever could imagine progress ending,
a world where rights are threatened,
where on an arbitrary date we're
third country nationals, foreigners,
stripped not just of rights but identity.
Whoever thought our children could lose
the freedoms we enjoyed, whilst millionaire
Leavers buy their passports stamped hypocrisy.

Still I have no vote as our Government
declares suffrage reversible not universal.
This from the country vocal in its pride,
taken as a template, admired worldwide
for its history of justice and democracy.
To our disgrace the people’s will was won on lies
abetted by those who gain from chaos
while we the people likewise, pay the price.



© 2018 Jacqueline Claire Knight.  All rights reserved. 


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