Home Secretary Defies Calls to Reverse Hardline Immigration Stance
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has firmly committed to continuing the government's hardline immigration policies, despite mounting pressure from unions and left-leaning Labour MPs following a disappointing byelection result. Senior Labour sources have dismissed claims that these policies are alienating Muslim voters as "plain wrong," insisting that Mahmood will not learn "the wrong lessons" from the electoral setback.
Union and MP Backlash After Byelection Loss
In the wake of the Green party's victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection in Greater Manchester, where Labour finished third behind Reform UK, calls for a policy shift have intensified. Andrea Egan, general secretary of Unison, the largest Labour-affiliated union, urged the government on Friday to change course and defend "migrants and refugees." Independent MP Diane Abbott echoed this sentiment, advocating for more progressive approaches to immigration and asylum.
However, a party source countered, stating, "The idea that we are losing Muslim voters over immigration is plain wrong." Mahmood herself emphasized the strain illegal migration places on public services and community cohesion, arguing it undermines the contract between government and citizens.
Proposed Asylum System Overhaul
Mahmood is set to outline her vision for an asylum system aimed at "restoring order at the border and bearing down on illegal migration." Key proposals include forcing individuals to wait 20 years before claiming leave to remain and making refugee status temporary, with repatriation required if home countries become safe. These changes mark a departure from the 2005 system, which allowed refugees to apply for indefinite leave after five years.
In a forthcoming speech at a thinktank, Mahmood will warn that Labour's future is "in jeopardy" unless it supports migration controls to alleviate pressure on local communities. She positions her policies as a middle ground between the Green party's "open borders" and the "nightmare" offered by figures like Nigel Farage, citing polling that shows majority support among Labour and Green voters.
Danish Model as Blueprint
Mahmood recently visited Denmark to study its migration policies under the centre-left Social Democratic party, which she described as "firm but fair." Denmark has shifted from granting permanent residence after five to seven years to issuing temporary permits for one or two years, with no guarantee of permanency. Refugees must now demonstrate fluency in Danish and sustained full-time employment to gain permanent status.
Mahmood praised this approach, stating, "Denmark shows us how to be firm but fair: removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to their borders while providing refuge to those in genuine need. That is why we will follow the Danish model to restore order and control to our borders." This alignment with Danish policies underscores her commitment to stringent immigration measures despite internal party dissent.
