Grateful tribute is due to Harry Shindler OBE, who died in Italy at the age of 101 on 21 February.
He remained actively involved in public affairs until the very end.
He was part of the Allied army which liberated Italy from Fascist control during the Second World War. After it, he assisted many families in locating and visiting the places where their relatives—his comrades—had fallen. He spoke frequently to groups of young people in Italy, telling them of the sacrifices that had been made so that they could live in freedom. He worked constantly in the interests of close Anglo-Italian relations.
He was at the forefront of a great peace-time campaign, pursued over many years. He was determined that all British citizens living in other countries should have the right to vote in our Parliamentary elections, bringing Britain into line with other major democracies which have granted votes for life to their citizens resident in other countries.
Harry was joined in the long campaign by Heather Harper, Chairman of Conservatives Abroad, who became a devoted friend, and her team in this official Party organisation, charged with forming Conservative associations and recruiting members in other countries throughout the world.
The Elections Act 2022 brought them victory at last in their long campaign: it contained provisions, which deserve to be called the Shindler clauses, that confer votes for life on British people abroad.
On Tuesday, 8 November last year, victory was celebrated at a lunch in Harry’s honour at the House of Lords, where he was joined by Parliamentarians and members of Conservatives Abroad who had worked with him during the campaign. The guest of honour spoke fluently and movingly without a note.
In the picture above, taken at the entrance to the Lords, Harry is flanked by his friends, Alistair Lexden and Heather Harper, co-hosts of the victory lunch.
