These Europeans wish they could vote in the general election - BBC London

Ana Telma Rocha was born in Portugal but she has lived in London since 1999.

However, due to not being able to afford to pay for her citizenship, she cannot vote in the UK parliamentary elections.

But now she wishes she had her vote more than ever and wants to speak for EU citizens living in the UK.

Gem O'Reilly reports

[lizzysprigg]

UK citizens live in Europe are not allowed to vote in their election either

[gd]

Well she is not british? What the hell is wrong with these people? Can i go portugal and vote in their general election. Can't afford it boohoo i cant afford the holiday home I really want.

[That_Random_Bloke]

These people are very welcome in our country however our rules on citizens voting in general elections are no different to other European countries

[arshadedlu]

I am a UK citizen in the Netherlands, and I can’t vote in Dutch elections. The problem goes both ways.

[joshuagodfrey]

Your not allowed to vote in our elections because we are not allowed to vote in yours simple as, I don’t agree with outsiders voting on our country when they have never been born here. Not trying to sound horrible but just stating my opinion.

[dcarbs]

Been here for 20+ years, 7 general elections, countless local elections, referenda and it's only *now* that they consider citizenship?! Much cheaper and easier to become a citizen here than say, Japan.

Clearly wasn't a problem before. And they live in London, so aren't exactly short of a penny!

[djpiccalo]

My country is not an international hotel.

[adriassoap]

In a city in which White Britons are an ethnic minority, I find it difficult to believe that people with dark skin or accents face hostility because of it. They are the majority.

[raemonflores]

I’m sorry to say but I don’t think anyone who lives in the UK who is not a British passport holder/citizen should vote.. I mean being a citizen of a country is the basic requirement to vote right??

[troytrey]

Been here 20 years but can’t afford to naturalise?? Ok then

[thanakornsrisupa]

BBC at it again, no agenda here Ever heard the saying, "tail wagging the dog?" You are a guest in the UK, just like a guest in someone's house. You do not get to tell the homeowner how to spend the budget for the house! Please enjoy your stay, I hope you like it here, but why do you think you have this right? You need to learn some respect.

[Nemophilist]

Why is the BBC putting out this propaganda?

[gamestory]

"We're Europeans." No, sorry, you're not. You're a nationality, but Europe isn't a Nation, it's merely a geographical area comprising of numerous nations and states. A dane and an italian have complete ly different cultural history, differences in values and religious influences. The idea of the Europeans is an attempt at creating a supranational state of Europe, mostly clinging to urban young students, upper middle-upper class urbanites and ambitious politicians.

[donaldmacdonald]

UK citizens living in Japan can’t vote either. Wow such a shock eh.

[aquastudio]

I am from South Asian region and I cannot vote in UK Election. There is no voice for me in UK, will BBC make video out of it ?

[murray]

Not your place to vote if you aren't a citizen - no one stopped you from applying for citizenship but yourself

[colinharbinson]

Self made problem, plenty of English in Spain and France who can't vote in their elections.

[nuttall]

Voting for Labour in London wouldn't have made any difference anyway.

[shafishafique]

Lame excuse... Living since 1999... You could get British citizenship rather than excuses ... EU is better that what remoners says...

[mrdemrsai]

How expensive can it be to apply for the citizenship?