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Sir Keir Starmer will give the vote to millions of EU citizens if Labour wins the next general election.<\/p>\n
Under manifesto plans for the biggest expansion of the franchise in almost a century, the Labour leader would hand voting rights to settled migrants and 16 and 17-year-olds.<\/p>\n
But Sir Keir has been accused of trying to “rig” the results of a future election and paving the way for the UK to rejoin the EU.<\/p>\n
A Conservative spokesman said: \u201cAllowing foreigners to vote is Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s admission that he doesn\u2019t trust the British people.<\/p>\n
“He is laying the groundwork for a referendum to rejoin the EU, something he campaigned so passionately for. And now he wants to rig the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
The plans would allow migrants who live permanently in the UK and pay tax to be able to vote in general elections for the first time.<\/p>\n
The move is expected to hand the vote to around 3.4 EU nationals who have “settled status” in Britain.<\/p>\n
A further 2.6 million who have been granted “pre-settled” status could be given voting rights in the future.<\/p>\n
Under the plans, 1.4 million 16 and 17-year-olds would also be able to go to the ballot box.<\/p>\n
Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice said that migrants and young people were more likely to be Labour supporters.<\/p>\n
He told the Telegraph: \u201cThe presumption we all have, rightly or wrongly, is that they\u2019re more likely to be opposed to Brexit, and therefore less likely to vote for the Conservative Party.”<\/p>\n
A Labour spokesman said: \u201cKeir fundamentally believes that if you work hard and contribute to this country, not only should you be able to get on, but it is fair and right that you should also have a say in decisions being made for your community.\u201d<\/p>\n