I wish to begin by emphasizing the fundamental democratic principle of enabling all citizens of a local community to participate in the local government of that community which makes this proposal so important.

But let us be clear that making this policy does not in itself make voters vote. In the European elections, in my Essex South constituency, the same right was granted but only 30 non-British EU nationals registered out of potentially several thousand. The right has to be promoted, administration has to be simple. The new proposal still calls for separate declarations for voters, which will act as a disincentive to voters and impose an administrative burden on local authorities which one UK authority estimates as costing up to £50,000.

So let this Parliament appeal to Member States to implement these proposals in spirit as well as in name, to strive to ensure systems for nationals and non-nationals are as close as possible to each other, and that the additional financial support required is recognized.