Politics By  Graham Sharpe
An Englishman who lives abroad, so cannot vote in the General Election, but is eligible to stand as a candidate, has placed a bet with bookmakers William Hill that he will poll the lowest total of votes of any candidate standing in the 650 constituencies in an effort to cover the cost of his election deposit.
James Franklyn Jackson, 71, lives in Carcasonne, France and told William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe:
'Because I have worked abroad in such places as the Falkland Islands for more than 15 years, I am by law, prohibited from voting in any UK election or referendum. There are many thousands of us who, although British citizens, UK passport holders and paying income tax to the UK government, have lost our vote and any right of representation, although we are directly affected by any law the UK makes.
There has been a 10 minute rule Bill presented to parliament by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (MP the Cotswolds) aimed at giving us a vote for life (as in most European countries) but with the election looming, the Bill will not progress.
Although not a resident and not able to vote, surprisingly, I am still eligible to stand for parliament.
Consequently, I looked for a high profile constituency to stand for parliament campaigning for 'Votes for Britons abroad' but is standing without an official Party name.
I selected the one with London Mayor, Boris Johnson-Uxbridge and South Ruislip. I easily obtained my 10 required sponsors by door to door canvassing in the area, completed the necessary forms and paid my £500 fee.'
James has placed a bet of £20 at odds of 50/1 with Hills to poll the fewest votes of any General Election candidate, which could win him his £1000 - enough to pay off his deposit and travelling costs.
'Although there are considerable numbers of independent candidates standing, it seems likely that with several of them taking on Boris, there will be fewer votes available to each candidate in Uxbridge than in most other constituencies', said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.