Starmer has scaled back his 2020 pledge to extend voting rights to all EU nationals residing in the UK. Initially, Starmer had promised to grant voting rights to all EU citizens with "settled status" as part of his leadership campaign, aiming to appeal to the party’s pro-remain membership. However, the revised policy now restricts voting rights to long-term residents with reciprocal arrangements in their home countries.

During his leadership bid, Starmer emphasized the need for "long-overdue security for EU citizens." This resonated with many, given that there are currently 3.4 million EU nationals in Britain with settled status and another 2.6 million with pre-settled status. The initial pledge aimed to grant these individuals a say in general elections, a move seen as bolstering Labour’s support among EU nationals and the broader Remain-supporting demographic.

However, recent clarifications from Labour officials have revealed a more nuanced approach. The policy, set to be featured in Labour’s upcoming manifesto, will not apply universally to all EU nationals. Instead, it will be limited to those who have paid taxes in Britain for several years. Furthermore, the policy's implementation hinges on reciprocal agreements with EU countries, adding another layer of complexity and potential limitation.

This strategic recalibration has drawn criticism from various quarters. Conservative MPs accused Labour of "gerrymandering" following the initial announcement by The Sunday Telegraph. In response, Starmer’s allies labeled these claims as “wildly overdone,” underscoring that the policy would not be as extensive as originally suggested.

The contradictions between Starmer's initial, more inclusive promise and the current, more restrictive stance highlight a significant shift in Labour's approach to EU nationals’ voting rights. While the initial pledge was broad and inclusive, the revised policy is narrower and conditional.

SOURCES

1st Video: Keir Starmer X - https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1222944288830631936

2nd Video: Keir Starmer scales back plan to extend voting rights to EU citizens - https://www.ft.com/content/d18fff3f-d396-43c1-bffa-43aee03a6477

3. Starmer rules out votes for EU citizens in pledge U-turn - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/27/starmer-rules-out-votes-to-eu-citizens-in-pledge-u-turn/

4. What are Labour’s plans for giving foreign nationals the right to vote? - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/15/what-are-labours-plans-for-giving-foreign-nationals-the-right-to-vote