European Union Citizens (Electoral Rights) Bill (HL Bill 27)
A
BILL
TO
Make provision to allow European Union citizens who are resident in the
United Kingdom to vote in parliamentary elections and to become members of
Parliament; and for connected purposes.
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present
Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 Entitlement of European Union citizens to vote in parliamentary elections
(1) The Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as follows.
(2)
In section 1(1)(c) (parliamentary electors), after “a citizen of the Republic of
Ireland” insert “or a relevant citizen of the Union”.
(3)
5In section 4(1)(c) (entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local
government elector), after “a citizen of the Republic of Ireland” insert “or a
relevant citizen of the Union”.
2 Entitlement of European Union citizens to become members of Parliament
(1)
A relevant citizen of the Union who is resident in the United Kingdom has the
10same entitlement as a citizen of the United Kingdom to stand for election to the
House of Commons.
(2)
A relevant citizen of the Union who is resident in the United Kingdom has the
same entitlement as a citizen of the United Kingdom to be appointed to the
House of Lords.
(3) 15For the purposes of this section—
-
“a relevant citizen of the Union” has the meaning given by section 202 of
the Representation of the People Act 1983; and -
“resident in the United Kingdom” is construed in accordance with Part I
of the Representation of the People Act 1983.
European Union Citizens (Electoral Rights) BillPage 2
3 Duty on Electoral Commission to provide information
The Electoral Commission must make arrangements to inform any persons
affected by section 1 or 2 of their new rights under those sections.
4 Extent, commencement and short title
(1) 5This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3)
This Act may be cited as the European Union Citizens (Electoral Rights) Act
2015.