Britons 'increasingly involved in Spanish politics'

Britons who invest in Spanish properties may find that their local elected representatives speak with familiar accents, it has been revealed.

Figures from the Spanish government have shown that of the 85 councillors in the country who are from overseas, 37 are British.

This has been achieved due to the European Union law that allows citizens of member states to vote and stand for office in local and European Parliament elections if they live in another country.

One result of this may be that some British property owners will be able to enjoy better representation at local level if they have concerns about aspects of their life in Spain.

Last year a Briton on the council of the Costa Blanca town of San Fulgencio denied that he had taken on the role of the town's mayor after all the members of the authority who were senior to him were arrested.

Mark Lewis decided not to take on the role after councillors were held in a police corruption probe.

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