THOUSANDS of people in Buckinghamshire may soon lose the right to vote in future European elections.

Spain is taking the British Government to the European Court of Justice in a bid to ban Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar from voting in elections to the European Parliament.

If this case succeeds it could have huge implications for many thousands of constituents who are Commonwealth citizens.

They may find themselves prohibited from participating in our democracy, regardless of the fact that many have lived, worked and voted freely in the UK for years.

With the EU having such influence on our lives, it is vital that those who have the right to vote should have that right in European elections too.

I hope the Government will resist this petty meddling by Spain. Commonwealth citizens in Bucks can count on the support of Conservative MEPs in protecting their rights.

Nirj Deva, Member of European Parliament