Like all other parties except the SNP, Plaid Cymru's General Election manifesto doesn't say anything about representation for armed forces personnel. But Plaid has firmly supported representation in the past, suggesting that the party may again be prepared to support sensible representative arrangements.

Most civilian voters can only register in the place where they are currently living. Members of the regular armed forces and their husbands, wives or civil partners have a wider choice, however.  Depending on individual circumstances, a regular armed forces member may be able to register:

(Apr 2010)  BAFF launched in September 2008 its ongoing campaign for statutory recognition of a staff association for armed forces personnel. This was followed by a successful parliamentary reception in May, 2009. By request, we will publish a representative selection of the replies from MPs to the letter below. Also available:  BFBS Forces Radio interview about launch of recognition campaign 26/09/08.

Please note that this is an archived article, and that the rules about Commonwealth recruitment have changed from time to time.

Anyone who is already serving or has served in the UK armed forces can apply to join the British Armed Forces Federation including, of course, those of Commonwealth or foreign nationality.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Manifesto for the Westminster General Election 2015 supports a strong UK defence, with defence spending not falling below 2% of GDP, and argues that the next Strategic Defence and Security Review should ensure that our Armed Forces should be capable of undertaking multiple deployments, whether as part of a multinational force or on our own. It also says that the Military Covenant should be implemented fully "and in an equivalent manner" in all parts of the UK.

But what is the DUP policy on representation for armed forces personnel?

Further to our news about SNP and Lib Dem support for armed forces personnel representation, an analysis of the Labour Party record on this issue is being produced and will be posted here shortly. Readers will be aware of BAFF's political neutrality; more on that point below.

The Independent reports (09 Apr 2010) that thousands of British military personnel based in Afghanistan have been disenfranchised in the general election because they have not been registered and there remain massive problems in getting their postal votes back in time. The paper says that only around 65 per cent of the 9,500-strong UK force in the country are registered to vote and many of these will have to be brought back from frontline bases in Helmand which are under daily Taliban fire.

The pre-1975 service pensions grievance relates to British ex-servicemen and women who served as regular "Other Ranks", and left the armed forces before April 1975 without completing a 22-year 'full career'. They have no pension for their years of service in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines, British Army or Royal Air Force. The issue also affects the widows or widowers of pre-1975 service personnel.

Following recent unexpected enquiries to BAFF about the issue, this article has now (Apr 2024) been updated and temporarily re-published.

If you have a residential address in the UK, your household should have received recently, or be about to receive, an annual Voter Registration Form.

Following President Hollande's acceptance of the Pêcheur Report on the consequences of the ECHR judgements of 2 October, the French National Assembly's Defence Committee will be taking evidence on Wed 21 January from allied defence attachés, including a Captain RN from the United Kingdom, about freedom of association and the right to organise for military personnel. UPDATE: Video of attachés' hearing now available HERE. Video of Tuesday's hearing with Pêcheur Report author available HERE. Transcript of evidence by UK Naval Attaché now available HERE.