Kemi Badenoch Pledges to Tackle Britain’s Immigration Crisis with Tough New Policies
of
The UK’s immigration figures, due to be released tomorrow, are expected to show a decline in net migration. This comes as a result of measures taken during the final year of the Conservative government.
However, despite this potential decrease, the figures for 2023 have raised significant concerns. They expose an undeniable issue: immigration — both legal and illegal — remains far too high. The impact of migration is felt across society in different ways, and I am not afraid to address it directly.
I firmly believe that the UK is a beacon of opportunity, security, and prosperity, admired across the globe for its values of equality and fairness. Millions seek to make the UK their home, but as elected representatives, we must prioritize the well-being of our citizens first and foremost.
The truth is, our country is unable to support the levels of migration we’ve been seeing. The strain on services and infrastructure is already reducing the quality of life for those who have long called this country home. It’s time to face this reality head-on.
For too long, politicians have overseen an unchecked rise in immigration. Since 1994, more people have arrived in the UK than left, year after year. Although the Conservative government promised to reduce these numbers, we did not fulfill that pledge. While we did end Free Movement, the new system has not achieved the necessary results.
Admittedly, some of the increase in migration was for humanitarian reasons — such as offering refuge to Ukrainians and Hong Kong nationals — but the overall numbers remain unacceptably high. We did not manage migration effectively, and under my leadership, we are committed to learning from past mistakes and taking a new approach.
A New Approach to Immigration
First, immigration must be managed in a way that ensures integration. If the pace is too rapid, it becomes harder to forge a cohesive national identity. It doesn’t matter whether one is for or against immigration; without a shared sense of belonging, the fabric of our society begins to fray.
Second, we cannot ignore the costs associated with immigration. The strain on housing, healthcare, and wages is evident for all to see. We must stop pretending there are no downsides to the current immigration levels.
Third, we can no longer afford to be naïve about the system. It’s absurd that some judges are declaring safe countries to be unsafe, and that loopholes in the system are being exploited by opportunists. These issues must be addressed, and we must act decisively.
While the upcoming figures may show a slight reduction in net migration, much of the credit should go to the measures taken by the Conservative government in its final months in office. These included raising income thresholds for work visas by 50% and restricting the ability of care workers and students to bring family members into the UK.
Despite Labour’s criticism of our immigration record, it’s important to remember that, for much of the past 14 years, they were advocating for looser immigration controls. Even though tomorrow’s figures may represent progress, they are just the beginning of what needs to be a far greater reduction.
Labour’s Lack of a Serious Immigration Plan
Under a Labour government, immigration will remain a significant challenge. We’re already seeing signs of this, as they have suspended important reforms, such as the increase in income thresholds for family visas, which was expected to dramatically reduce net migration. The Labour Party’s response to immigration so far has been insufficient, with no real solutions to tackle illegal migration.
The Prime Minister himself has suggested that the immigration system is inherently flawed due to a “racist undercurrent,” and Labour scrapped the Rwanda deterrent before it even had a chance to be implemented. As a result, we are already seeing an increase in illegal Channel crossings, with more people arriving this year than last.
Labour has no credible plan to address the issue of illegal immigration. As pointed out by former Border Force officials, enforcement alone won’t solve the problem. People know that if they can reach the UK, they will be able to stay. This cycle must end.
A Coherent Plan for the Future
The consequences of Labour’s immigration policies will be consistently high illegal migration and insufficient action on legal migration.
We can debate the economic and social effects of immigration, but the fundamental truth is that the UK is not a hotel or a dormitory; it is our home. We need to take care of it and protect it for future generations.
I am committed to rebuilding the trust between the Conservative Party and the British people. We acknowledge our past mistakes, but we must learn from them and take responsibility. As the new leader of the Conservative Party, I accept that we have fallen short in this area.
I share the public’s frustration, and I intend to put forward a clear, detailed immigration plan before the next election. Voters will have a choice between Labour’s failed policies and a new, coherent plan to take control of immigration.
It’s time to face the truth, and in the coming months, I will do just that.
