A recent report from the Centre for a Better Britain (CFABB) has called for significant changes to the United Kingdom’s electoral system and immigration policies, warning that mass migration and certain campaigning practices pose risks to democratic integrity. The think tank advocates for new legislation aimed at addressing what it describes as "political sectarianism" and electoral manipulation.
The CFABB proposes an Elections Integrity Act that would criminalize efforts by religious leaders or organizations to influence voters through spiritual authority or communal pressures. The report also recommends restricting campaign materials to specific languages—English, Welsh, Cornish, Irish, Scots, Ulster-Scots, and Scots Gaelic—arguing that this step would reduce attempts to sway elections by appealing to ethnic or cultural groups through foreign languages.
In terms of voting procedures, the think tank suggests limiting postal voting to individuals with genuine medical conditions. It contends that this measure could significantly reduce postal voting fraud and ensure that ballots remain confidential and free from external influence by families or political activists.
The report also recommends ending the voting rights of Commonwealth citizens in UK elections and adopting a more restrictive model of citizenship. CFABB argues that the British public was never consulted on the scale of immigration the country has experienced and asserts that many would have opposed mass migration if given the opportunity.
The timing of the report coincides with controversy surrounding the use of foreign languages in political campaigning. Shadow Communities Secretary Katie Lam recently criticized Green Party leader Zack Polanski for recording a campaign video in French during the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, a seat formerly held by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Lam described the practice as unacceptable, emphasizing that politics should be conducted exclusively in the prevailing public languages of the country. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added that concerns about free voter participation and the impact of mass migration on political dynamics should not be ignored.
However, the report’s proposals have faced opposition. Tom Brake, representing the group Unlock Democracy, argued that requiring voters to provide medical evidence before being allowed to vote by post is impractical and would create unnecessary barriers to participation. He questioned whether the benefits claimed by the CFABB outweighed the potential exclusion of legitimate voters.
A government spokesperson rejected the CFABB’s recommendations, stating that net migration has significantly decreased—down by 82% since its 2023 peak—and that visa numbers continue to fall. The spokesperson affirmed that there are no plans to change voting regulations in the manner suggested and maintained that UK elections remain safe and secure.