What's pretty stupid about it. I am still a British citizen and have every right to vote.
Tell me then, how would the UK decide who does and doesn't vote for all those that have moved out of the country? Do you say that people who have lived away from the UK for more than a year....2 years....3 years etc. Where do you draw the line?
For all you know I could be on a 5 year secondment to Australia with a British company and I could have every intention of moving back to the UK in 2011.
Also as a British citizen I to have an interest in who runs the country as I still have bank accounts and my private and state pension held in the UK. I want to ensure that my money will be protected by the government.