UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backs UK asylum crackdown, offering Conservative support in Commons despite opposition from Labour backbenchers.
As reported by The Telegraph, Kemi Badenoch has endorsed the UK Government’s tough asylum measures and confirmed her party’s support in the Commons amid Labour MPs’ criticism.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce new policies requiring refugees entering the UK illegally to wait 20 years for permanent settlement and potentially sell jewellery and assets to cover costs.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting backlash from over a dozen Labour backbenchers, including Stella Creasy, who called the asylum plans “performative cruelty.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about supporting Labour’s asylum plans?
Kemi Badenoch said the Labour asylum proposals were “steps in the right direction” and expressed her desire to encourage the Government’s approach.
She stated,
“What we are seeing from the Labour Government is steps in the right direction, so we want to encourage them in that right direction.”
The Tory leader said,
“Of course, we have a fully comprehensive borders plan. Some of what we have seen Labour announce is similar but not as much as what we have done.”
She added,
“We can see that their Labour backbenchers don’t like this, so I have offered that we will support the Government in going in the right direction.”
What did Labour MPs say about Shabana Mahmood’s asylum plans?
Labour backbencher Ian Byrne has denounced Shabana Mahmood’s asylum plans as “morally bankrupt,” warning they will fail to win back lost voters.
He posted on X,
“Today, the Government will make yet another desperate bid to outflank Reform on asylum seekers. We’ve drifted far from the PM’s promise of ‘compassion and dignity’, towards policies dragged from the moral abyss and applauded by far-right figures like Farage & Yaxley-Lennon.”
Mr Byrne added,
“It’s morally bankrupt and politically disastrous – our party won’t win voters back this way. Those who’ve left have turned to progressive parties, and those who’ve stayed will be appalled by these latest attacks on people fleeing war and persecution.”
A left-wing Labour MP, Richard Burgon, warned voters would be “repulsed” by the Government’s refugee policy, claiming the leadership was adopting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s agenda and opening the door to a far-right government.
He said,
“This approach isn’t just morally wrong; it’s politically disastrous. Labour voters who have abandoned the party will not be won back by this. They haven’t flocked to Reform but mainly to other progressive parties or now simply say they don’t know who to vote for. Many who have stuck with Labour so far will be repulsed by these attacks on vulnerable people fleeing war and persecution.”
Mr Burgon added,
“Poll after poll shows the cost-of-living crisis remains the single biggest issue in British politics. That is what the Labour leadership should be relentlessly focused on. That is how to win back voters.”
Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed warned the Government’s policy would “punish recognised refugees.”
She added,
“For more than a decade we’ve seen that hostile policies don’t fix the asylum system they just create chaos, cost, and deeper division. The latest proposals repeat the same mistake.”
Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, stated,
“Right-wing populists will criticise Labour’s plan to repair the asylum system, because their entire narrative depends on it staying broken.”
He added,
“The truth is unless we fix it in a progressive way, it won’t be sustainable and there for those who need it most.”
Another Labour MP, Dr Simon Opher, said the party “must resist rather than imitate Reform”, in a swipe at Ms Mahmood’s proposals.
He added that efforts to reduce dangerous crossings were necessary but condemned the Government’s approach as “cruel and unnecessary”.
What did Richard Tice say about Shabana Mahmood’s asylum plans?
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice claimed Shabana Mahmood’s asylum stance resembles “an application to join Reform.”
He described the Home Secretary’s plans as “well-intentioned” but questioned her ability to deliver them.
When questioned whether he would support the policies, Mr Tice responded,
“She’s beginning to sound like she’s putting in an application for vetting to join Reform. The reality is, however well intentioned, the Home Secretary hasn’t got the support and confidence of her own party.”
He added,
“[But] while still being a member of the European Convention on Human Rights, and still having the Human Rights Act in its current form, she just won’t be able to deliver what she’s talking about.”
How did the Lib Dems respond to the Government’s asylum asset proposals?
The Liberal Democrats slammed the proposal to make asylum seekers sell jewellery and personal belongings, calling the plan “state-endorsed robbery.”
The party argued the asylum system required changes and suggested allowing asylum seekers to work to support themselves and contribute financially.
Max Wilkinson, the Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman, said:
“This policy goes against who we are – a nation that has long responded with compassion to those fleeing the worst atrocities imaginable.
He added,
“The Liberal Democrats are calling for the end of asylum hotels and to give asylum seekers the right to work, so that they can support themselves financially, integrate and pay tax. That is how we bring down the bill not by state-endorsed robbery.”
What are the UK’s new asylum measures?
The UK’s new tougher asylum measures include visa restrictions for countries refusing to take back illegal migrants. Refugees entering illegally must wait 20 years before applying for permanent settlement.
Under the new proposal, asylum seekers must use assets like jewellery to cover support costs. The plan makes refugee status temporary, with reviews every 30 months to ensure safety.
The reforms require immigration judges to prioritise border control over family rights and illegal migrants will only be allowed one appeal against removal.
