Nigel Farage says he would only allow British citizens to vote in UK elections

Nigel Farage proposes limiting voting rights to British citizens in UK elections

Reform UK’s new electoral proposals

Reform UK has introduced new electoral reforms, which include reducing the scope of postal voting and revoking the voting eligibility of Commonwealth citizens. The party’s plan aims to restrict postal ballots to specific groups such as the elderly, disabled individuals, military personnel, and those working abroad during elections.

Farage’s stance on voting systems

Nigel Farage argued that the current postal voting system has diminished the integrity of UK elections, calling it a ‘laughing stock’ prone to fraud and manipulation. He also claimed that allowing non-British citizens to vote in elections is ‘absurd,’ as it undermines the connection between voters and national decision-making.

“For too long, postal voting has allowed our elections to be turned into a laughing stock, riddled with fraud, intimidation and outright cheating. It’s been allowed to go on for years and has poisoned trust in our democracy,” Farage said.

Commonwealth citizens, who currently have the right to vote in UK elections if they are residents, would no longer be eligible under the new rules. A Reform UK representative clarified that the policy does not affect Irish citizens, who retain their voting rights in parliamentary elections.

Allegations of electoral misconduct

The proposals come after Reform UK urged police to investigate claims of fraud in the recent Gorton and Denton by-election. An election observer group reported witnessing ‘concerningly high levels’ of ‘family voting,’ where two individuals share a polling booth and possibly influence each other’s choices.

“Meanwhile, allowing non-Brits – people with zero connection to this country – to vote on our future is absurd. It is right that only British citizens should be able to vote in British parliamentary elections,” Farage stated.

Political reactions to the plan

Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticized the reforms as a ‘headline-grabbing’ move, suggesting the restrictions are a kneejerk reaction. He warned that the policy risks excluding vulnerable voters like pensioners and overseas citizens, arguing for reforms based on evidence rather than political convenience.

Farage has previously criticized postal voting following by-election losses. In 2015, after Ukip lost the Oldham West and Royton by-election, he accused the system of being exploited. Similarly, in 2019, when his Brexit Party lost Peterborough, he again targeted postal voting, though the court challenge was later withdrawn.

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