Why I did not participate in your recent poll concerning voting in the upcoming general election.

While many are still undecided as to whom they wish to elect, spare a thought for those of us who are not entitled to vote.

I am a British national and spent my youth growing up in Herefordshire. I also own a holiday cottage in Ross.

Nevertheless, because I live in Germany, I am not able to vote in the general election, due to the fact that I have been away from the UK for more than 15 years. I therefore find myself in the same category as UK prisoners who are also disenfranchised.

As an expat I have always tried to be a good ambassador for our country, encouraging not only German, but also Dutch and Belgian friends (I live very close to the borders of Holland and Belgium) to visit the UK, thus contributing to the British economy. In return my country denies me the basic right to vote.

Wake up all politicians whatever party you represent. We're living in the 21st century in a global community, where the world does not start and end at Dover.

Rosemary Heigl-Williams, Ross-on-Wye/Aachen, Germany