Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, has vowed to take a stronger approach to immigration, stating that the UK can no longer sustain current immigration levels.
Badenoch admitted that the Conservative Party had not done enough in the past to limit immigration numbers and has now promised to introduce a strict cap on legal immigration, though she did not specify the exact number.
“We need to prioritise the needs of British citizens first,” Badenoch said, highlighting the importance of addressing the challenges posed by high immigration levels.
She expressed concerns that the current pace of immigration is overwhelming public services and creating difficulties in integrating people from vastly different cultures into British society.
Badenoch’s comments come as the UK government faces increasing pressure from voters who are worried about the impact of immigration on jobs, housing, and public services.
“Immigration is moving at a pace too fast to maintain our public services,” Badenoch explained. “It is happening at a rate where it becomes nearly impossible to integrate people from radically different cultures.”
She added, “It’s time to be honest. For decades, the political class in this country has allowed mass migration without taking proper responsibility for its consequences.”
Badenoch also mentioned the end of free movement following Brexit but argued that the system that replaced it has not been effective.
“The system is broken,” she said. “While we tried to control numbers, we ultimately failed to deliver.”
Badenoch’s strong stance on immigration comes as new official figures are expected to show a decrease in immigration numbers, following measures introduced by the previous government.
However, Badenoch was clear that more needs to be done.
“We’ve made progress, but we haven’t done enough,” she added. “We need to set clear limits and ensure that immigration does not outpace the country’s ability to absorb and integrate newcomers.”
Recent data on long-term migration showed a drop from a record high of 764,000 in 2022 to 685,000 in 2023.
Experts noted that this decline was largely due to fewer foreign students arriving and more people emigrating.
However, immigration levels are still considered unusually high by historical standards and remain above pre-COVID levels.
The figures suggest that while the government’s previous efforts have had some impact, immigration continues to be a contentious issue for many Britons.
Badenoch’s plan to introduce a cap on immigration aligns with growing calls from the public for stricter immigration policies.
“We need to be in control of our borders and ensure that immigration works in the best interest of the country,” she said.
In recent years, concerns over immigration have dominated political discourse in the UK, with many voters expressing frustration over the perceived failure of politicians to manage immigration effectively.
Badenoch’s comments reflect a shift within the Conservative Party, which is seeking to address these concerns and position itself as the party that will take strong action on immigration.
“We have to learn from our mistakes,” she stated. “For too long, the political establishment has promised to reduce immigration, but the numbers have continued to rise.”
