Decision Details

Motion H

Proposer: Councillor Çufoglu

This Council notes:

• That all residents, no matter their nationality, bring significant value to the area.
• One in six usual residents of England and Wales were born outside the UK.
• 14.51% of Colcestrians were born abroad and 6.75% are from Europe, 4.26% are from Middle East and Asia, 2.28% are from Africa, 0.96% is from the Americas and the Caribbean, and 0.26% Antarctica and Oceania (including Australasia) and Other.
• One in four usual residents of Castle ward were born outside the UK.
• Around one in four residents of Greenstead Ward and Mile End Ward were born outside the UK.
• Over 1 million residents across England and Northern Ireland do not have a right to vote. 
• Scotland and Wales have extended the franchise to allow all residents with lawful immigration status to vote.
• A poll conducted by Number Cruncher showed that 63% of people agree that all residents should have the right to vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland.
• The current complexity in voting eligibility causes confusion and will reduce voter turnout in local elections amongst migrant voters, a group which already has a disproportionately lower voter registration rate compared to British voters.
• 15 local authorities across England have passed motions asking for the right to vote to be extended to all residents in local elections. 

This Council commits to:

• Write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the relevant shadow frontbenchers requesting that the franchise for local elections be extended to all qualifying foreign nationals in England and Northern Ireland in line with eligibility criteria in Scotland and Wales. 
• Write to the local Members of Parliament asking for their support in Parliament to see the right to vote extended to all residents in local elections.
• Deliver training to councillors and relevant officers on the changes brought by the Elections Act so that residents can be accurately informed about their voting rights. 
• Work collaboratively with voluntary sector organisations in our city area to reach residents about voter eligibility rules and how to vote. 
• Continue promoting voter registration and photo ID requirements to residents at, events, and other communication channels, and expand it to citizenship ceremonies as well.