Politics

Holyrood Committee Urges Review of Law Allowing Foreign Nationals to Run for MSPs

By Naomi Canton

A Holyrood committee of Scotland’s parliament has urged the Scottish government to reconsider its policy that permits foreign nationals with limited leave to remain to stand in Scottish parliament and local government elections. The recommendation follows the election of Indian national Q Manivannan, a student from Chennai, as an MSP for the Edinburgh and Lothians East seat in May for the Scottish Green Party. Manivannan was on a student visa when elected, sparking a political and public backlash.

The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee released a report stating it does not accept the premise that non‑UK citizens with limited leave to remain should automatically have the right to serve as councillors or MSPs. The committee noted that after the 2026 Scottish parliament elections, many members of the public were surprised to learn that such rules existed.

Asked whether the legislation would be reviewed, First Minister John Swinney said, “We don’t intend to do so, no.” A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens replied that thousands of people with limited leave to remain live and work in Scotland and should be able to stand for parliament and councils.

The committee said the act appeared to have “run ahead of public opinion,” citing a public consultation in which 77 % of respondents disagreed with extending candidacy rights to foreigners with limited leave to remain, such as those on time‑limited visas. The Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 extended candidacy rights to all foreign citizens with limited leave to remain in the UK.

Professor Alistair Clark of Newcastle University testified that he could find no international example of another country offering this right. The committee also warned that the act could create opportunities for candidates to be influenced by overseas actors, raising the risk of foreign interference in the Scottish electoral process.