Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has unveiled sweeping proposals to change Britain’s electoral rules, including removing voting rights from some Commonwealth citizens and restricting election material in languages other than those native to the British Isles. The party wants ministers to adopt its “Election Integrity Bill” as amendments to legislation already before Parliament, although the proposals are highly unlikely to be accepted. Reform targets voting rights for Commonwealth citizens The plan would end the historic right of Commonwealth citizens to vote in UK elections, while election material would be limited to English, Welsh, Gaelic, Braille and British Sign Language. Reform also proposes giving polling station staff powers to assess whether voters have sufficient English to cast their ballot. Critics say the measures could make it harder for people with limited English to participate in elections. Postal voting becomes a fresh battleground The party is also calling for restrictions on postal voting and new safeguards against coercion, including so-called “family voting”. The proposals revive a long-running Farage concern. Almost 10 million people used postal votes at the 2024 general election, meaning tighter rules could affect a huge number of voters. Farage allies blame immigration for electoral pressure Danny Kruger, Reform’s head of Department for Preparing for Government, claimed Britain’s electoral system was being undermined by uncontrolled immigration and foreign political interests. Reform has also highlighted allegations of electoral malpractice, including claims of family voting at the Gorton and Denton by-election. The party has previously raised concerns about postal voting, including after its defeat in the 2019 Peterborough by-election. Labour hits back as political clash escalates Labour dismissed the proposals as an attempt to divert attention from controversies surrounding Farage and his senior allies. The party said it would protect the integrity of the democratic system through its Representation of the People Bill, while accusing Reform of hypocrisy over postal voting. The proposals add another major plank to Reform’s nationalist agenda, alongside tougher immigration policies, mass deportation proposals and restrictions on access to council housing for non-British citizens. Farage demands crackdown on non-English speaking Britons voting in elections | The Independent
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