A motion expected to be approved by the party’s annual conference on Monday promises that a Labour government would “extend equal rights to vote to all UK residents. If passed, the text would become official party policy.

The change would extend the right to vote in general elections to anyone with residency rights in the UK, regardless of their nationality. Currently only British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens are allowed to vote in general elections. Other foreign nationals living in Britain can vote only in local elections and European elections.

The proposal will be debated at the Labour conference in Brighton after being quietly included in a motion that says a Labour government should “maintain and extend” freedom of movement even if Britain leaves the EU, including by opposing any new immigration system based on migrants’ income or skills.

The text says that, if Labour wins the next election, it will “extend equal rights to vote to all UK residents”.