Reform UK Proposes Voting Reforms Targeting Non-English Speakers and Commonwealth Citizens

Nigel Farage’s party, Reform UK, is planning to introduce measures aimed at preventing non-English speakers from participating in British elections, limiting mail-in ballots, and removing voting privileges for Commonwealth citizens, all with the intention of addressing the perceived effects of mass migration on democracy in the UK.

Danny Kruger, the Reform MP for East Wiltshire, has put forward amendments to the Representation of the People Bill. He indicated that these changes would be enacted by Reform UK if they come to power in the next general election, especially if the current Labour government does not take action.

Kruger, a former Conservative Party member working to dismantle what he terms the Blairite deep state, expressed that the integrity of the voting system has diminished due to mass migration. He believes it is essential to reform the system to represent a unified UK.

“It seems like elections are often contested along ethnic and sectarian lines these days, with campaigns that use foreign languages, sometimes focusing on issues—like Kashmir or Gaza—that aren’t directly connected to Britain or the politicians’ responsibilities. We will require all regulated election materials to be in languages native to the British Isles,” Kruger mentioned.

He pointed out that approximately 2.5 million non-British Commonwealth citizens—originating from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan—are currently eligible to vote in UK elections as long as they reside in the country. Under a Reform government, he stated that this privilege would be revoked, restricting voting to British and Irish citizens.

“Voting is a conditional right—based on membership in the British nation, a lack of undue influence, and an understanding of the democracy in which one participates. These conditions used to be implicit; now, because of mass migration, we need to clarify them,” Kruger added.

Moreover, the party’s Election Integrity Bill aims to reduce the use of mail-in voting, which Kruger described as a significant misuse of a system meant for those physically unable to vote in person.

Kruger claimed that about one in four votes in the last general election were cast by post, arguing that it facilitates vote harvesting by community leaders for sectarian interests. Hence, the party intends to limit postal voting to British Armed Forces members, diplomats abroad, and those who are genuinely incapable of voting in person.

Additionally, the proposed reforms would prohibit “family voting,” a practice where typically older males in Muslim families accompany their wives or daughters to ensure they vote in a specific way, reinforcing sectarian voting patterns. Reports from independent observers indicated numerous cases of such voting in recent local elections, such as the special by-election in Manchester’s Gorton and Denton.

“We will give polling station officials the authority to require voters to cast their ballots alone. If someone clearly struggles to understand the voting system, their ballot will be set aside, with an option to appeal to a magistrate,” Kruger stated.

Commenting on these proposals, Reform UK Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick said, “It shouldn’t be controversial to state that Britain should operate in the interests of the British people.”

Reform leader Nigel Farage added, “Political parties in Britain shouldn’t conduct campaigns in foreign languages. Elections should be for the British people.”