Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council unanimously voted to pass a motion calling on the Government to extend the right to vote to all residents in local elections.

The motion emphasises that over one million people across the UK have no right to vote at all simply because of their nationality.

In Welwyn Hatfield, close to 1,300 residents are excluded from the ballot box at local elections and over 9,000 local EU citizens have no right to vote in General Elections.

Councillor Michal Siewniak, who tabled the motion, was contacted by Migrant Democracy Project, a not-for-profit organisation that supports migrants' democratic participation across the UK, asking for his support for the campaign for votes for all.

The motion suggests that a different model is possible: where all residents who work, live, study and call Welwyn Hatfield their home can vote.

It asks the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to extend the franchise for local elections to all qualifying foreign nationals and the Welwyn Hatfield MP, Andrew Lewin, to lend his support for the campaign.

Councillor Michal Siewniak said: “I am so pleased that this important motion has been passed.

"I personally feel passionate about civic empowerment and I strongly believe in upskilling residents, also in a democratic context.

"In my view, by changing the electoral legislation everyone, including the EU citizens, will be better connected with the political process, both at the local and national level.

"There is still a long way to go, however the decision to approve this motion by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council set a great example for other Local Authorities and I hope that they will follow our lead."

Leader of the council, Councillor Max Holloway, said: “A big thanks to Councillor Siewniak for bringing this important motion before Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, and I'm so pleased that this had unanimous support across the chamber.

"We hope that the Government will listen and make some positive changes in this area'’