Outrage Over Labour Plan To 'Reopen Brexit'

Starmer plot to pull Britain back into EU

- Sam Lister and Katie Harris

KEIR Starmer is accused of trying to drag Britain back into the EU with his plan to give millions of its citizens the vote.

Leading Tories claimed the Labour leader was preparing a "sinister" plot and was "rigging" the system in order to hold another referendum on membership of the bloc.

Sir Keir would also give the vote to 16 to 17-year-olds, in the belief they are more likely to back Labour.

Tory Party chairman Greg Hands condemned the scheme to give migrants who live permanently in the UK and pay tax the chance to choose MPs.

The policy is expected in Labour's next manifesto.

Mr Hands said: "Labour's plan to give foreign nationals the vote at Parliamentary elections is laying the groundwork to drag the UK back into the EU by stealth. Sir Keir spent years trying to block Brexit and overturn the largest democratic vote in this country's history.

"This is an attempt to rig the electorate to rejoin the EU."

Mr Hands continued: "The right to vote in Parliamentary elections and choose the next UK Government is rightly restricted to British citizens and those with the closest historical links to our country.

"No other EU country allows EU citizens who are not their nationals to vote in Parliamentary elections.

"This Conservative Government is focused not on constitutional wrangling but providing immediate relief to families by halving energy bills and delivering on the people's priorities: Halving inflation. Growing the economy. Reducing debt. Cutting waiting lists. Stopping the boats."

Around 3.4 million EU nationals with "settled status" would be granted the right to vote, with a potential 2.6 million more also likely to qualify.

Sir Keir also wants to open up the ballot box to some 1.4 million 16 and 17-year-olds.