Will Labour expand the vote to millions of EU citizens?

Keir Starmer is accused of ‘laying the groundwork’ to reverse Brexit. Adam Forrest takes a closer look at what the opposition leader is up to

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (PA)

The Conservatives have accused Sir Keir Starmer of a dastardly plot to “rig” elections while simultaneously laying the groundwork to reverse Brexit at a second referendum.

It would be quite the feat. What policy could possibly be so devious as to engineer permanent Labour majorities and take Britain back into the EU? Labour’s top team is considering a plan for a radical expansion of the franchise so potentially millions of EU citizens would be eligible to vote in general elections.

Frontbencher Jonathan Reynolds all but confirmed stories about the bold move on Sunday – admitting it was “something we will look at” and arguing “we should always be seeking to involve as many people as possible in our democracy”. Although Reynolds – and Starmer’s team – insist that it is not yet policy, serious discussions about constitutional reform in the Labour manifesto are being held now so the platform is ready to go for autumn conference season.