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Voting Rights

Asked by Mr Lee DillonLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 28 February 2025UIN 32463

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending voting rights to unenfranchised migrant residents.

Answered by Rushanara Ali

The Government has no plans to extend voting rights to unenfranchised migrant residents. In common with most other democracies, voting rights are limited to citizens. In addition, in UK elections for which the UK Government and Parliament have responsibility (that is, not devolved elections in Scotland and Wales), Commonwealth and Irish citizens can vote in all reserved elections, while eligible EU citizens can vote in elections which use the local government register.

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