Local Liberal Democrats warn that nearly 14,000 people in Brighton and Hove could lose the right to vote in local elections in the event the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal.
IN response to parliamentary questions from the Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake, the Government has confirmed that except with Spain, UK reciprocal voting rights for UK citizens residing in the EU and EU citizens residing in the UK have yet to be agreed in the event of no deal.
According to population statistics from the Office of National Statistics, 3,546,000 EU citizens across the UK and 484,700 UK citizens across the EU would lose the right to vote. The revelation comes ahead of the local elections on Thursday, May 2.
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hove, Beatrice Bass said: “Brexit is tearing apart our communities and stripping people of their rights – all because of Tory incompetence.
“In Brighton and Hove there are 13,738 EU citizens entitled to vote on May 2nd. These people fill vital roles in the NHS, in our schools and across Brighton and Hove. They deserve better, and the Liberal Democrats demand better.
“The local elections on May 2nd are an opportunity to send a clear message to Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn that this injustice is not acceptable.
“Every Liberal Democrat elected in May is another voice fighting for a People’s Vote, with the option to stay in the EU.”
Ilse Mogensen, public affairs and campaigns officer for the 3million, is reported as saying: “EU citizens living in the UK were denied a vote on our own future in the 2016 referendum. To add insult to injury, we now face the loss of our right to vote and stand as candidates in local elections.
“The Welsh and Scottish governments have confirmed that EU citizens will keep the right to vote. The UK Government should do the same, instead of leaving the democratic rights of 3.6 million people in limbo.”
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