Labour is embroiled in a civil war over the “disgusting” raft of migration proposals set to be announced this afternoon, which one MP described as “very Reform in their nature”.
Sweeping reforms of the asylum system are creating division, with MPs berating their leaders for becoming too right wing. The changes are perceived as a desperate bid to cling onto voters who are considering defecting to Reform, but are consequently digging a rift in the party.
The government is facing anger from more than a dozen backbenchers over the plans, including Stella Creasy, who described them as “performative cruelty”.
“Speaking with other Labour MPs I know that there’s a real degree of disgust at some of these proposals,” Brian Leishman, the MP for Alloa & Grangemouth, told Times Radio.
“What we’ve got to do is absolutely have an honest and frank analysis and admit that Britain has never actually been this incredibly welcoming place for immigrants…
Shabana Mahmood’s proposals are creating a rift in Labour (Image: Getty)
“This is nothing new and what I will say is, some of the proposals that have been leaked, they do sound very Reform in their nature.”
The proposals will be “the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times”, designed to “restore control and fairness to the system”. It has been inspired by Denmark’s notoriously strict approach, which has tight limits on family reunions and sends some refugees back if conditions improve in their home countries to make the country less attractive to asylum seekers.
As instability in Labour continues to be rife, Downing Street told its MPs it expected their backing and support for the radical plans, which they have yet to receive.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will ban three African countries from accessing UK visas if they fail to take back illegal migrants: Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The number of years before an illegal migrant can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain will also be quadrupled from five to 20 years.
The home secretary plans to amend laws that currently guarantee housing and financial support to asylum seekers. Such legal duty was introduced in 2005 under EU law. Instead, assistance will become “discretionary”, meaning it will be able to deny help to those who can work or have assets.
A spokesperson said: “In a historic move, automatic handouts for those seeking refuge will end.”
The three African countries will face visa sanctions, blocking their tourists, VIPs and business people from travelling to the UK if they fail to co-operate on the removal of illegal migrants. It’s hoped that the reforms will deter channel crossings, after the number of people who have arrived in boats jumped by 19% since the same time last year.
