Britain's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, unveiled a significant policy shift on Monday, pledging to implement stricter immigration controls amid mounting pressure from the political right. The announcement followed the recent success of the right-leaning Reform U.K. party in local elections, signalling a growing concern over immigration among the electorate.
In a speech delivered from Downing Street, Starmer criticized previous administrations for permitting an unchecked influx of immigrants, remarking that the UK had inadvertently engaged in an "experiment with open borders." He stated, "Today, this Labour government is shutting down the lab. The experiment is over. We are taking back control of our borders," echoing the sentiments of pro-Brexit advocates who emphasized the need for sovereign border management prior to the EU referendum.
The proposed immigration measures will primarily affect legal immigration, suggesting a notable shift from the Conservative party's earlier policies that had struggled to deliver targeted immigration reductions. Starmer's plan outlines that visas for lower-skilled workers would be limited, criteria for language proficiency would be elevated, and the pathway to citizenship for newcomers would be elongated from five years to a decade.
However, the policy falls short of establishing specific immigration targets, instead focusing on broad commitments to border control. Critics may view this as a cautious approach, especially considering the previous government's failure to meet ambitious immigration reduction goals under Prime Minister David Cameron's leadership. As public discourse continues to evolve, Starmer’s strategies could redefine the UK’s immigration landscape while aiming to stabilize the Labour Party's position amid rising right-wing populism.
