Rome - Following consistent lobbying, UK Prime Minister, David Cameron has promised to grant British expatriates a lifetime vote if the Conservatives win the General Election in May.

Under current laws, there is a cap which prevents Britons from voting in UK elections if they have lived in another country for over 15 years. Harry Shindler, a veteran of the Second World War and the Italy based representative of the Italy Star Association, is one such expatriate and has been campaigning strongly in recent years for the abolition of the ’15 year rule.’

In 2014, as reported in the Italian Insider, Mr Shindler took the case to the European Court of Human Rights arguing that universal suffrage applied to all and there could be “no exceptions.” Despite the refusal of the ECHR to overturn the ban, this latest pledge by the UK Prime Minister is an important step to its abolition.

“You can be assured that I recognise that millions of British citizens, like you, live and work across the globe,” said David Cameron in a letter to Mr Shindler. “Many have worked hard, contributed to Britain all their lives, and have close family living in Britain. This is why we have recently pledged that if we win the General Election, we will abolish this rule which prevents millions of British expats from being able to vote.”

The forthcoming General Election in the United Kingdom will be held on May 7 and will elect the 56th Parliament in the country.