The United Kingdom attracts international students to its universities from across the world. For the ongoing academic year, the Home Office issued a staggering 486,107 ‘sponsored study visas’. The Indian cohort stands as the largest group, with around 25% of the international students in the UK. The total Indian student population in the UK, including the recent graduates seeking further academic and work opportunities, is estimated to be around 500,000—with 43% of ‘graduate route visas’ being issued to the Indian students in September 2023. What makes this all very significant apart from the hundreds of millions of pounds they bring into the country, is that each of them can vote in the UK general elections. This makes them a silent, hidden vote bank.
This year, when both India and the UK are expected to conduct their general elections, these half-a-million students would be eligible to participate in the democratic processes of both these countries. The UK electoral policy extends voting rights to citizens of Commonwealth nations, granting these students the franchise in the British General elections 2024, in addition to their eligibility to vote in their home constituency in the Indian General elections 2024. However, most Indian students may not cast their votes in either of the elections. While the Indian system acknowledges non-resident overseas voters, it requires these citizens to vote in person. As a result, due to their academic commitments in the UK, students may forego their suffrage in their home country in 2024. Additionally, many students are unaware of their privilege and are unlikely to register themselves on the voter list for the British elections.
The half-a-million strong Indian student population is a dormant voter group in the U.K. This diaspora group holds significant sway, particularly in the marginal seats. For instance, the winning margin of 2023 by-elections in the ‘Uxbridge and South Ruislip’ Constituency was less than 500 votes. Situated within this constituency is the University of Brunel that boasts over 1600 Indian students. If these students register and vote, they can wield a considerable influence in a constituency that elected the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2019.
Similarly, the ‘Welwyn Hatfield’ constituency—which has consistently elected the present Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps since 2005—houses the University of Hertfordshire which hosts around 7000 Indian International students. Likewise, are the constituencies of ‘South-Coventry’ with a slim winning margin of 399 votes in the previous elections and having the University of Coventry that hosts around 5000 Indian students; and the Hendon constituency with around 3000 Indian students studying in its University of Middlesex alone. Apart from these constituencies, there are more than two-dozen constituencies, where the Indian students may be the ‘X-factor’ in the 2024 British General elections.
Conversation with these students indicate that the political parties are yet to engage these decisive voters; most of whom have never been exposed to British democratic apparatus. As we approach a competitive British election later this year, it is imperative for the Political parties, incumbent MPs, and the aspiring candidates to invest time in understanding the needs of these valuable guests as they possess significant voting influence that could shape the outcomes of the upcoming elections.
These political players may reach out to students individually, through the Student Unions of the individual Universities, or through pan-UK organisations like the Indian National Students’ Association (INSA) and National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) which works along with Indian students and support their issues ranging from applications, scholarships, accommodation, representation, activities, and placements. The INSA, with their student association in over 45 Universities and Educational Spaces, is one of the largest Indian students’ bodies in the U.K.; whereas NISAU, which is a more centralised and comparatively smaller body, has Parliamentarians like Virendra Sharma from Labour Party and Lord Bilimoria, as its patrons. Since these organisations interact with students at close quarters, political parties may understand the students’ issues and tap their potential voters through these student associations.
With only a few months remaining before electoral lists are finalized and ballots cast, British political stakeholders have a prime opportunity to connect with the continually expanding Indian student diaspora in the UK. This engagement not only has the potential to significantly impact electoral outcomes but also enhances the vibrancy and inclusivity of British democracy.
