Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal to grant voting rights to EU citizens and 16-17 year olds stirs up allegations of a hidden agenda to rejoin the EU.
Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, reportedly plans to extend voting rights to millions of EU citizens and 16-17 year olds if Labour returns to power at the next general election, a controversial move perceived by some as a setup for a potential EU referendum.
This proposed “package of proposals,” according to The Telegraph, could lead to a drastic political shift, potentially unseating current Prime Minister Boris Johnson from his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency and resulting in a significant loss of Tory MPs, particularly in London, in the 2029 election.
A spokesperson for Labour emphasised Starmer’s belief in inclusivity, stating, “Keir fundamentally believes that if you work hard and contribute to this country, it is fair and right that you should also have a say in decisions being made for your community.”
However, the Conservatives criticise Starmer’s plans as an indication of his distrust in the public, accusing him of paving the way for a referendum to rejoin the EU. “Allowing foreigners to vote is Sir Keir Starmer’s admission that he doesn’t trust the British people,” a Conservative spokesperson said.
Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice predicts that this change may lead to the “downfall of Boris,” especially in his west London constituency with a large migrant population.
The move, which is expected to affect around 3.4 million EU citizens in Britain, could mark the biggest expansion in the size of the franchise since the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act of 1928. 2.6 million EU citizens with “pre-settled” status could also gain future voting rights.
These proposals are not without precedence. Settled EU migrants already vote in Welsh and Scottish parliaments, local councils, and police and crime commissioner elections. Furthermore, 16 and 17-year-olds have held voting rights in local and devolved assembly elections in Scotland and Wales since 2016 and 2020, respectively.
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