# Scottish MSPs revisit election rules for candidates with limited leave to remain

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/stephen-daisley-we-need-to-restore-the-status-of-citizenship-for-those-who-werent-born-here-it-must-be-a-privilege-thats-earned/
- Published: 2026-11-08T19:58:54+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T20:18:15+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16276539/restore-status-citizenship-werent-born-privilege-thats-earned.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- MSPs are reviewing candidacy rules for people with limited leave to remain.
- The law passed in 2024 without a vote against.
- The article argues citizenship should be required for elected office.

## Summary

Scottish MSPs are reconsidering a law that lets people with limited leave to remain in the UK stand for election to Holyrood and local councils. The debate has resurfaced after Indian-born Green representative Q Manivannan was elected in May, prompting questions about the rules and public confidence in how they were made.

The 2024 legislation followed a 2021 SNP-Green pledge to widen candidacy rights and passed without opposition. The article says 77 per cent of respondents to the Scottish Government’s consultation opposed the change, while the Law Society warned that temporary leave could expire before a five-year parliamentary term, potentially forcing members to stand down and triggering taxpayer-funded by-elections. It argues that citizenship should carry greater weight in eligibility for elected office.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.