Theresa May’s shambolic handling of Brexit means that we are now taking part in European Elections despite her insistence we wouldn’t.

But the disorganised, last minute change has sparked concerns that EU citizens living in the UK are going to find themselves excluded from voting.

In normal circumstances, local authorities would have written to all EU citizens to give them ample time to apply – but these aren’t normal circumstances.

I was granted an urgent question to raise this issue with the Government and found it incredibly insulting that the Minister referred to EU citizens being able to vote in their ‘home countries’.  The UK is their home and all who want to vote here should be able to.  The Government needs to ensure hundreds of thousands of EU citizens aren’t disenfranchised.

I’m concerned that the far-right are seeking to exploit these elections for their own purposes and was proud to launch Haringey Labour’s European election campaign on Saturday alongside three of our MEP candidates Katy S Clark, Claude Moraes and Seb Dance.  Katy’s speech highlighted the radical manifesto of the Party of European Socialists which Labour are proud to be part of.

As Brexit discussions continue, I’ll continue to push for the public to be given a final say on any deal that comes out of the negotiations with any vote including the option to remain.  I want to see Labour’s excellent European election candidates sitting in a European Parliament with Britain at the heart of discussions – not out on the side lines.

EU citizens in Hornsey & Wood Green can find out how to register to vote here