Kingdom in May, interest among British ex-patriates on the Island seems to be practically nil.

Only one person has enquired at Government House about a postal vote in the last two and half years -- and he is too late to be eligible.

Registration forms to vote in the next election had to be completed and returned to the home constituency by October 10 to qualify for a ballot this year in mainland Britain, and September 15 for Northern Ireland.

Peter O'Brien, the Registrar at Government House, said: "One person rang yesterday about applying but he was too late.'' New legislation passed in London last year has cut the amount of time ex-pats can live abroad and still vote in Britain.

Following the next election, ex-pats will be able to vote for 15 years after leaving Britain, a reduction of five years.

Mr. O'Brien said he did not know how many British voters are living in Bermuda and eligible to vote in the forthcoming election as Government House's function is restricted to issuing proxy vote application forms.