Migrant Democracy Project

Migrant Democracy Project is the only campaign group in the UK that specifically focuses on residence-based voting rights (RBVR). RBVR means that wherever you live, work and contribute to society, you should have a say in how it is governed. In Scotland and Wales, residents can vote in their devolved parliamentary elections. The non-partisan organisation believes that all residents in the UK should be able to vote in all local elections and those who have lived here at least five years or have indefinite leave to remain should be able to vote in general elections.

To achieve this goal, it works with local authorities to pass its motion in support of RBVR, and so far, 12 local councils have passed its motion. “The more we can show governments that this is something supported at the local level, the easier it will be to integrate extending the right to vote into the national discourse,” says Frankie Gaynor, Migrant Democracy Project’s advocacy manager.

Gaynor explains that the organising perspective of their work involves creating power through a ‘bottom-up’ direction, which includes its MPower programme (training first-generation migrants to stand in elections), voter registration work, arranging tours of parliament and building a network of migrants in the UK. The advocacy component of their strategy is a ‘top-down’ approach, which includes meetings with MPs’ offices, attending party conferences and gaining support for RBVR at a governmental level. “By adopting both strategies simultaneously, we believe this is the most effective model for building power and bringing about real legislative change.”

“Local and grassroots work is extremely important because it’s impossible to shift a national conversation without having already shifted the narrative at a local level. We believe in the power of people and the power of community. Don’t feed the status quo by giving up – organising, mobilising and building community is the only way we can keep pushing forward and fighting for what is right.”

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