Residency

[mrs mop]

How long does a person from the EU or Commonwealth have to be resident in the UK to qualify for inclusion on the electoral register?

[grasscarp]

You have to be naturalized to become British citizen. Then you can vote.

[rockyracoon]

Really, my OH votes and he's Irish.

[rockyracoon]

Found this

http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/who_can_register_to_vote.aspx

[grasscarp]

Sorry I got that wrong - Rocky is right. My husband has never been on register as Italian, so now I see as a uk resident he should be!

[shaneystar2]

That's a bit misleading .My husband isn't British .He can vote in the local and EU elections but not the parliamentary ones.

[rockyracoon]

Here's the .gov link for voting if you want to trawl through it.

https://www.gov.uk/voting-in-the-uk/overview

It's very boring but will probably answer your question, my eyes glazed over after about 30 secs.

[dzug2]

There's no set period - you just have to be resident

Commonwealth citizens must have leave to remain in the UK or not require it

There's nothing on the application form about a minimum period of residency

[tamborine]

Only if on electoral register (by paying council tax)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/news/vote2001/hi/english/voting_system/newsid_1171000/1171908.stm

[tamborine]

From my link - none here ;)

"...Echoing the rather arcane language of the legislation, "idiots" may not vote and "lunatics" only during their lucid periods. Those compulsorily detained in psychiatric hospitals, for example, cannot vote...."

[mrs mop]

Thanks everyone. And rockyraccoon you were nearly right. It took a minute before my eyes glazed over!!

[dzug2]

xx
Only if on electoral register (by paying council tax)

xx

Um no. You have to be on the electoral register , yes. But there's absolutely no connection between being on the electoral register and paying council tax