Mon May 12 14:18:10 UTC 2025: ## Labour Shifts Right on Immigration, Risking Alienation of Left-Wing Base

**London –** Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has unveiled a sweeping immigration crackdown, aiming to reduce net migration and counter the rise of the anti-immigration Reform UK party. The move, however, risks alienating Labour’s core left-of-centre voters.

Announcing a new Immigration White Paper on Monday, Starmer vowed to “take back control” of Britain’s borders, describing the previous Conservative government’s approach as an “experiment in open borders” that led to near-one-million net migration. The policy document outlines plans to tighten immigration across the board, including work, family, and student visas.

Key proposals include increasing the settlement period for citizenship from five to ten years, strengthening English language requirements, reducing post-study work visas for international students, and introducing stricter deportation powers for foreign nationals convicted of crimes. The government also plans to cut overseas care worker visas and require foreign skilled workers to hold university degrees.

While acknowledging the contribution of migrants to Britain, Starmer aims for a “significant” reduction in net migration by the next election, although he declined to specify a target figure. This contrasts with Labour’s traditionally more pro-immigration stance.

The shift has sparked concerns that Starmer’s strategy, driven by the recent electoral success of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, could alienate left-leaning voters, potentially pushing them towards the Liberal Democrats or Green Party. Analysts warn that this rightward lurch could jeopardize Labour’s support base and undermine its long-term electoral prospects. The party’s pledge to reduce net migration, while popular with some segments of the electorate, is a departure from its historical positions and potentially a risky gamble for a party that enjoys a large majority after winning the 2024 General Election.

Read More