Explanatory note

These Regulations are made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972. They contain provisions extending the franchise and changing the qualification for election and holding office as members of local authorities. They amend both primary and secondary legislation on these matters for the purpose of implementing article 8b.1 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (as amended by Title II of the Treaty on European Union) and the requirements of the directive of the Council of the European Communities No. 94/80/EC.

Regulation 3 amends the Local Government Act 1972, the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 and the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957 to extend the right to stand at local government elections in England, Wales and Scotland, local elections in Northern Ireland and Common Council elections in the City of London to citizens of all Member States of the European Community on the same terms as Commonwealth citizens.

Regulation 4 amends the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 and the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957 to extend the right to vote in those elections to all citizens of Member States of the European Community on the same terms as Commonwealth citizens.

Regulation 5 and the Schedules to the Regulations make consequential amendments to primary and subordinate legislation for each of the three United Kingdom jurisdictions.