Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has acknowledged that her party got immigration “wrong” during its 14-year governance, admitting that high migration levels have strained public services and hindered social integration.
In a press conference ahead of new migration figures, Badenoch took responsibility for the Conservative Party’s immigration failures. Despite years of pledging to reduce immigration, net migration reached a record 745,000 in 2022, only slightly decreasing to 685,000 the following year.
Badenoch outlined a new approach to immigration, committing to a “strict numerical cap” on migration, though she did not specify the exact numbers. She promised a comprehensive review of policies, treaties, and legal frameworks, including examining migrant benefits and the role of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Key aspects of her proposed strategy include:
– Tightening access to British passports
– Implementing a “zero tolerance” approach to foreign criminals
– Developing a more detailed plan for achieving migration reduction
– Maintaining the concept of a “deterrent” for illegal immigration
Badenoch argued that the current immigration rate is unsustainable, stating it reduces quality of life and makes cultural integration challenging. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a shared national identity, suggesting that rapid immigration undermines social cohesion.
This is not the first time Badenoch has criticized her party’s immigration record. At the Conservative Party Conference, she previously blamed the Treasury for promoting immigration solely on economic grounds, arguing that what might be economically beneficial is not necessarily good for the country.
Political opponents were quick to respond. Home Office representative Angela Eagle accused Badenoch of offering no new ideas and criticized the expensive and unsuccessful Rwanda immigration scheme. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage questioned the Conservatives’ credibility, pointing out their repeated failures to meet immigration promises in previous manifestos.
Labour welcomed the Conservatives’ admission of their immigration management failures, suggesting the party is finally acknowledging that immigration “spiralled out of control” during their tenure.
Badenoch claimed that any potential reduction in migration numbers would be due to actions taken by the previous Conservative government. She emphasized that her approach would be more strategic, focusing on understanding and controlling migration mechanisms rather than simply setting arbitrary targets.
The speech signals a significant shift in the Conservative Party’s immigration narrative, with Badenoch attempting to reset expectations and demonstrate a more pragmatic approach to a historically contentious political issue.
As the next election approaches, this new stance on immigration could be a critical strategy for the Conservatives to address voter concerns and differentiate themselves from previous leadership approaches.
