In a bold statement on Tuesday, UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch promised to implement stricter immigration policies, asserting that the country can no longer sustain current levels of migration.
Speaking candidly, Badenoch acknowledged that past Tory governments had failed to curb immigration effectively but vowed to take decisive action without hesitation.
Badenoch outlined her plan to introduce a hard annual cap on legal immigration, though she did not specify the exact numbers. She emphasized that the UK’s public services, including housing, healthcare, and wages, are being stretched too thin by the rapid pace of migration.
“Immigration is at a pace too fast to maintain public services,” Badenoch said.
“For decades, the political class has presided over mass migration… The system that replaced free movement is not working.”
Her comments reflect growing concerns over the challenges that migration has posed to the UK’s infrastructure.
In addition to limiting the numbers of immigrants, Badenoch stressed the importance of integration, insisting that migrants must adopt British values to ensure a cohesive society.
She warned that without a shared national identity, the country would suffer, pointing to the strain that mass migration has placed on housing, healthcare, and the job market.
Badenoch also vowed to review current policies, treaties, and laws, with a focus on transparency and tightening visa restrictions.
She rejected concerns that the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) could hinder the country’s ability to take necessary action.
While new migration figures are expected to show a decline, Badenoch cautioned against complacency, suggesting that future reforms will focus on closing legal loopholes and preventing misuse of the immigration system.
“We can no longer be naïve,” she added, signaling a more aggressive stance on immigration reform as part of her leadership agenda.