In a significant political move, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday unveiled plans to tighten the country’s immigration rules, acknowledging growing pressure from right-wing parties following recent electoral gains. Starmer, leading the Labour Party, criticized past administrations for what he called a "failure" to control immigration and an "experiment with open borders."
In a speech delivered from Downing Street, Starmer emphasized that his government is now "taking back control of our borders." This rhetoric echoes the sentiments of pro-Brexit campaigns that sought to curb immigration leading up to the EU referendum. The new measures will primarily affect legal immigration, with proposed reductions in visas for lower-skilled workers, an increase in language proficiency requirements, and a doubling of the time newcomers must wait to achieve citizenship from five to ten years.
While past Conservative leaders promised specific targets for reducing net migration, Starmer's plan refrains from setting concrete numerical goals, opting instead for a broad commitment to manage immigration effectively. The announcement reflects the ongoing debate within UK politics over immigration and border control, as the Labour Party navigates the pressures of competing parties and public sentiment.
