UK’s Political Parties & Mass Immigration.
The first step to solving a problem is admitting there is a problem.
On borders and immigration, this is the hurdle we continue to face, despite Brexit and despite countless votes by the British public to bring down immigration.
Let's attempt to provide a snapshot of one important topic of concern to voters. That topic is immigration and it’s particularly relevant given the surge in support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in the latest Survation poll.
reviewing the immigration policies of all the major UK political parties who have published manifestos or in the case of Reform a contract between Reform and the people for the general election on 04 July, this has to be a legitimate subject to explore, as mass immigration affects a great number of issues concerning ordinary people, including the following
- Housing shortages
- Pressures on schools
- Pressures on GP practices
- Pressures on hospitals
- Pressures on all other local and public services
- Benefit payments
- Societal cohesion
- Crime
- Level of security threats
- Overall GBP and GDP per person
- Pressures on the transport network
- Shortage of university places
- Overall British values as a country
Put simply, it is not possible to permit an influx of millions of people into a country in a short number of years without proportionately increasing that country’s infrastructure. In the case of the United Kingdom — and the case of many other European countries — this hasn’t been done.
So how important is the topic of immigration to the major UK parties?
To give readers a measure of the importance that the UK’s major political parties have placed on immigration, I picked an arbitrary measure.
No. of times the word “immigration” is used in party manifestos
- Reform: 19
- Conservative: 15
- LibDems: 14
- Labour: 4
- SNP : 3
- Greens: 1
[Sources: Official party manifestos for the 2024 UK general election.]
It should be noted that whilst the LibDem manifesto mentions immigration 14 times, the party is broadly in favour of welcoming a continuing influx into the UK.
Only one major political party has published specific pledges to cut immigration drastically and that is Reform UK. Here is part of what they say in their ‘Contract’:
“Freeze Non-Essential Immigration”
“Strict limits on immigration are the only way to relieve the pressure on our housing, and public services, increase wages and protect our culture, identity and values. Essential skills, mainly around healthcare, must be the only exception.”
“Stop the Boats with our 4 Point Plan”
“Leave the European Convention on Human Rights.”
“Zero illegal immigrants to be resettled in the UK.”
“New Department of Immigration.”
“Pick up illegal migrants out of boats and take them back to France.”
“Secure Detention for all Illegal Migrants”
“All asylum seekers that arrive illegally from safe countries will be processed rapidly, offshore if necessary. Those entering from a safe country will also be barred from claiming asylum or citizenship.”
“No legal aid for non-citizens. Those rejected will be returned.”
The full manifestos are here
For readers who would like to see the full manifestos of each party, they are below.
Of course, I realise that this is a simplification of the various parties’ views on immigration.
Nevertheless, this was an interesting take on the relative importance they appear to attach to a subject which has grown in intensity in the UK and continental Europe in the last few years.
[ Sources: Party manifestos ]
