Our Home Our Vote Charter
Migrant Democracy Project is building migrant power across the UK to shape a society rooted in justice that better reflects the needs and interests of all residents. We believe every resident, no matter where they are from, should have equal access to democracy. That means equal access to the right to vote, and opportunities to participate in our democracy, including the ability to represent our communities as elected leaders.
As movement workers advocating and organising for a just future across the UK, we know that we stand on a legacy of great achievements. But we also know the struggles and challenges our communities face.
It’s now time to demand votes for all so we can collectively use the power of the vote to build the society we know we can have.
Our charter calls for a comprehensive redrawing of political power in the UK; for migrants to be able to dictate their own futures, ensuring they are not used as political fodder to advance political agendas.
What We Are Calling For
We want all residents to have the right to vote. The right to participate in our democratic systems should be a fundamental right held by all members of our community.
We want the right to vote to be extended to all residents in the UK, no matter where they are from. All residents must have a say in policies that affect their everyday lives. Access to democracy should not be restricted by the passport you have.
Why We Are Demanding Votes for All
1. To Build Migrant Power
Migrant communities are being used as a political football. Too many politicians and much of the media portray migrants as responsible for their political problems. It’s easy for politicians to use migrants as their political scapegoat when this community cannot hold them accountable at the ballot box.
We are demanding votes for all so that we can organise our communities, build migrant power, and leverage the power of our vote to demand policies that work in our collective interest.
We will organise in solidarity and use our collective power to vote for a future that works for everyone.
2. To Be Counted
Enfranchised or not, all residents are affected by the policies that our governments pursue.
From national policies shaping access to transport and healthcare, to our local councils' decisions on housing and parks - migrants are members of our communities and are affected by the decisions made by elected representatives.
Voting allows residents to choose which politicians and policies best serve our common interests. As a result, the right to vote remains the most fundamental way in which we can dictate how the government can affect our everyday lives.
3. To Modernise Democracy
At the moment, our democratic landscape is needlessly complicated, and only allows some migrant communities the right to vote.
In Parliamentary elections, only British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth nationals have the right to vote. In England and Northern Ireland, some EU nationals are able to vote depending on their date of entry into the UK and whether or not their home country has signed voting rights agreements with the UK.
It does not need to be this complicated. Scotland and Wales allow all their residents the right to vote in their local and devolved elections. It's time England and Northern Ireland followed suit!
Achieving votes for all would level up voting rights across the UK and increase voter participation where a Syrian refugee in Wales has the same access to our democracy as one living in Bristol.
Regardless of where we are from, or where we live, we all deserve to have a democratic voice in our futures.