More than 600 overseas voters are registered to vote in elections in the Westmorland and Furness district — including individuals currently living in countries such as Russia, China, and Belarus.
A Freedom of Information response from Westmorland and Furness Council confirms that 606 overseas voters were registered as of 8 May 2025. The data, listing voters by country of residence, reveals a surprising global spread — including registrations from countries widely seen as hostile to the UK or governed by authoritarian regimes.
Among the nations with voters on the Westmorland and Furness roll are Russia, where political freedoms are heavily restricted and diplomatic tensions with the UK remain high, China, and Belarus.
The presence of voters living in these countries is raising eyebrows both locally and nationally — particularly amid growing concerns about election security, foreign interference, and hostile state threats against the UK and its allies.
This local data reflects a wider trend. In the month leading up to the 2024 General Election, between 18 May and 18 June, 94,602 overseas voters signed up to vote. The total number of overseas voters registered for that election reached 191,338 — a substantial increase from previous years.
Until 2015, the number of overseas voters had never exceeded 35,000. Numbers began to rise sharply ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum and continued to grow in the years following. At the 2017 General Election, a record 285,000 overseas voters were registered.
While overseas voters are legally entitled to vote in UK Parliamentary elections and referendums, critics argue that registrations from countries with restricted freedoms and pervasive state surveillance raise serious concerns around voter verification, potential influence, and the integrity of the democratic process.
Overseas voters must register in the local authority corresponding to the last UK address where they were registered or resident. Those registering in England, Wales, and Scotland can apply online or by post. In Northern Ireland, a paper application is required.
However, validating these registrations presents serious challenges. To register as an overseas voter, applicants only need to provide a date of birth, National Insurance number, and the postcode of their last UK residence. If they were never registered to vote in the UK, only the postcode of their last UK home is required making validation of an address almost impossible for election teams in local councils.
With no national electoral register to check against, verifying the authenticity of applications is left to under-resourced local election teams. Given the growing volume of personal data leaks — including National Insurance numbers and dates of birth — some experts warn the system may be vulnerable to fraud or manipulation by hostile states and organised groups.
In marginal constituencies, overseas votes could be decisive. At the 2024 General Election, some seats were won by margins of fewer than 20 votes. In such contexts, overseas registrations — including from high-risk jurisdictions — could tip the balance and determine the outcome of an election.
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
