In a dramatic shift for UK politics, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is spearheading a robust new approach to immigration, drawing comparisons to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The developments were a central topic of discussion on the latest episode of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, released on Friday 21 November 2025.
A New Hardline on Immigration
The podcast explores how Shabana Mahmood, who serves as Home Secretary, is taking a notably firm stance on controlling migration into the UK. Her policies are reportedly modelled directly on the system used in Denmark, a country known for its strict immigration controls. This represents a significant pivot for the Labour Party, which spent years criticising similar Conservative policies as "racist."
Intriguingly, Mahmood is using her personal background to bolster her position. As a British Asian Muslim woman, she argues that this identity grants her a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the nation's migration challenges than many of her political counterparts.
Political Alliances and Internal Party Tensions
This hardline strategy is proving politically potent, with the analysis noting that Mahmood is "taking a lot of people with her." This includes drawing support from figures like Kemi Badenoch and even appealing to voters who might otherwise back the Reform party.
However, this new direction is not without its controversies within her own party. A key question raised is whether Mahmood can successfully persuade the entire Labour Party to back these measures, given the party's long-standing criticisms of the Tories' approach to the issue.
Leadership Speculation and Budget Predictions
The discussion also turned to Mahmood's personal political style and future. Her reputation as a tough, plain-speaking, and passionate politician has led some to dub her "the new Margaret Thatcher." This has, in turn, fuelled speculation about her potential as a future leader. With the Labour Party already said to be "looking beyond" Sir Keir Starmer, the podcast questions whether Mahmood could pose a genuine threat to his leadership.
In a separate but related political forecast, the episode suggests that Chancellor Rachel Reeves may be preparing to scrap the two-child benefit cap entirely in the upcoming budget. The podcast questions whether this move is genuinely popular within the party or if it represents Sir Keir Starmer and Reeves yielding to pressure from their backbenchers.
Listeners are reminded that they can watch full episodes of Electoral Dysfunction, featuring Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman, and Ruth Davidson, on YouTube.
