In a bold move, the British government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to tightening immigration policies, responding to rising political pressures from the right. This announcement comes following the recent gains made by the right-wing party, Reform U.K., in municipal elections.
During a speech delivered from Downing Street, Starmer criticized previous administrations for facilitating a surge in immigration, which he described as an "experiment with open borders." He asserted, "The experiment is over. We are taking back control of our borders," echoing sentiments from the pro-Brexit campaign leading up to the 2016 referendum.
The proposed regulations will make it more challenging for newcomers to stay long-term in the U.K., particularly affecting lower-skilled workers. Visa options for these workers will be restricted, language requirements will be elevated, and the path to citizenship will be elongated from five to ten years for most immigrants.
While Starmer emphasized a commitment to reducing the flow of legal immigration, he refrained from setting specific numerical targets, a contrast to the previous commitments made by Conservative leaders. His predecessor David Cameron had aimed to cut net migration to the "tens of thousands" but faced significant political fallout for failing to meet this goal.
In summary, Starmer's announcement marks a strategic pivot in Labour's immigration stance as his government seeks to reclaim authority over border policy amid mounting pressures from political rivals.
