Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire for his plans to offer the largest expansion of voting rights in nearly a century, which would include giving millions of EU nationals and 16-17-year-olds the right to vote in UK general elections. Critics accuse him of seeking personal advantage and attempting to rig future election results.
Cabinet minister Grant Shapps criticised Starmer's proposal as an attempt at gaining "personal advantage" by expanding the electorate. Tory MP and former Brexit Minister David Jones, along with fellow Tory MP David Jones, have also expressed their disapproval of Labour's proposed changes.
EU nationals currently residing in the UK are only able to participate in local elections or contests for Scottish and Welsh parliaments. Under Sir Keir's manifesto plans, however, settled migrants as well as 16-17-year-olds would gain voting rights should Labour win the next general election.
Opponents argue that these proposals are aimed at paving the way for Britain's return to the European Union. A Conservative spokesman claimed that Sir Keir does not trust British citizens and therefore seeks a referendum on rejoining the EU through stealth measures.
In defence of their position, a Labour spokesman argued it is fair for other individuals who contribute significantly to their communities to have a say in decisions affecting them directly.
Despite accusations from Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands and two predecessors regarding attempts by frontbenchers like Liam Fox and Nadhim Zahawi at “diluting influence” among British citizens by increasing voter eligibility among settled migrants, teenagers (including around 3.4 million EU nationals), Lord Hayward – a Tory peer – warned such moves could ultimately deter former Labour supporters from returning back into politics.
Shadow Cabinet Minister Jonathan Reynolds acknowledged that these voting proposals were indeed "something we will look at," but maintained that the plans were aimed at levelling the playing field and allowing more people who reside in the UK to participate in democratic processes.