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There's no electoral payoff in boosting migrant rights - Labour has to do it for moral reasons
By me, for the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
By me, for the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
The fact is that anti-immigration voters are more exercised by the issue than pro-immigration voters are. They are also more concentrated in the seats Labour must win.
But the good news is, plenty of immigration issues don't bother voters at all https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
But the good news is, plenty of immigration issues don't bother voters at all https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
Most voters probably assume that, for example, everyone born in the UK is automatically a UK citizen. So birthright citizenship is politically an easy win.
Plus the measures already in the 2019 manifesto can be carried over with little fuss https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
Plus the measures already in the 2019 manifesto can be carried over with little fuss https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
Starmer promised to push for an immigration system "based on compassion and dignity".
The question is whether he actually wants to do it. If he does, he'll have to face down Red Wall-whisperers and take the moral high road. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
The question is whether he actually wants to do it. If he does, he'll have to face down Red Wall-whisperers and take the moral high road. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/labour-immigration-keir-starmer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
One thing I'll add: it is possible to fit migrant rights into a broader message and strategy, such as improving people's security and stability etc.
But given that Labour doesn't actually have any such broad message or strategy yet, it's harder to analyse in that context.
But given that Labour doesn't actually have any such broad message or strategy yet, it's harder to analyse in that context.
I should also point you towards @JCWI_UK's proposals for migrant rights, which is mostly up-to-date and gives a lot of pointers to the kind of specific measures that could be introduced: https://www.jcwi.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=487cfeb1-ada7-4d42-83b0-2b99c6f6742a
One other thing: this dilemma over combining migrant rights with electoral concerns does not just affect the 'right' of the party.
Labour's 2017 manifesto (leader: Corbyn; home sec: Abbott) proposed replacing income thresholds for migrants with a ban on recourse to public funds
Labour's 2017 manifesto (leader: Corbyn; home sec: Abbott) proposed replacing income thresholds for migrants with a ban on recourse to public funds
