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Written question asked by Paul Holmes (Conservative) on Monday, 9 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. It was answered by Samantha Dixon (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.


Voting Rights

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill, what his Department’s definition is of a British citizen usually resident in the United Kingdom; and what (a) immigration and (b) domiciled status this requires.

Answer

The British Nationality Act 1981 sets out who is a British citizen and how British citizenship may be obtained.

Section 5 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 lays down general principles of residence for electoral purposes, which a registration officer must follow when deciding whether a person is resident at a particular address. The Electoral Commission’s guidance sets out clearly that each decision about residence should be made by the registration officer on a case-by-case basis.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
118887
Session
2024-26
Related items
Political Parties: Donors
Monday, 20 April 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
British nationality Voting rights
Legislation
Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 to 2026-27
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk