There is wide support among Opposition Parties in the Lords (though not among Conservatives) for adding 16 year-olds to the electoral register for the forthcoming EU referendum.
Citizens of other EU countries living here also have their advocates. Significant cross-party support has been expressed for adding British citizens who have been abroad for more than 15 years (those who have been away for less than 15 years are already entitled to vote).
Alistair Lexden has long believed that the 15–year limit should be swept away, and the Conservative Party is now committed to its removal. In a speech in the Lords on November 2, he argued that provision should be made in the EU Referendum Bill to enable all British citizens abroad to vote in the referendum.
Follow the link to hear his speech… Hansard