Tory rightwingers have risked the wrath of the Celtic electorate after calling for non-British residents to be denied the vote in this year’s general election, it has been claimed.

Labour Party Irish Society chairman Matthew Doyle said that senior Tory MPs who called for the right to vote to be removed from Irish members of the electorate may in fact provide them with an incentive to cast their ballot.

Tory MPs, led by former disgraced minister Liam Fox and senior backbencher Graham Brady, have called for an emergency change in the law which would prevent up to 1.5 million non-British nationals — including 345,000 Irish-born members of the electorate — from voting in May.

Irish and Commonwealth citizens currently have the right to vote in general elections in Britain, and British citizens in Ireland can vote in all Dail elections.

Mr Doyle said the proposal had the potential to backfire on the Tories and called on Prime Minister David Cameron to condemn the move, the Irish Post reported on Wednesday.

He told the newspaper: “I think what this move shows is, at best, a lack of understanding and recognition of the contribution the Irish community has made to Britain’s success over the years.

“This attempt to remove their vote sends a clear message to Irish voters — they need to stand up and make their voices heard.

“Perhaps the Tories would be better served by looking at why they aren’t winning support from Irish voters.”