Nicholas Soames: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the most recent UK legislation on Commonwealth voting rights is; and what plans the Government has to bring forward proposals to amend that legislation. [170841]

Greg Clark, Minister of State for Cabinet Office (Cities and Constitution): The franchise for UK elections is set out in the Representation of People Act 1983. Under the Act, British, Republic of Ireland and qualifying Commonwealth citizens are entitled to register to vote in UK parliamentary elections, local elections, and European elections assuming that all other registration criteria are also met. For the purposes of registering to vote, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen is an individual who either does not need leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or who does need such leave and has it.

The right of resident Commonwealth citizens to vote in UK elections reflects our close and valued historical ties with the Commonwealth countries. The Government has no current plans to remove the voting rights of Commonwealth citizens.

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