UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Blue Labour pushes crackdown on DEI and immigration, urging ministers to legislate against inclusion policies to win over Reform-leaning voters.
As reported by The Guardian, a Labour-aligned faction shaping Number 10’s message to Reform voters has called on ministers to eliminate DEI initiatives.
A Blue Labour article titled “What Is to Be Done” calls for legislation targeting DEI efforts, mirroring the rhetoric of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage.
It was founded in 2009 by academic Maurice Glasman, a Labour peer. Other northern MPs associated with the group include Dan Carden, Jonathan Brash, Jonathan Hinder, and David Smith.
Sir Keir Starmer’s move toward the right and his framing of Labour as a patriotic party align closely with Blue Labour’s philosophy.
What did Blue Labour say about DEI and identity politics?
Blue Labour’s article calls on the party to renew its “covenant with the British people,” stating,
“We are proud of our multiracial democracy and we utterly reject divisive identity politics, which undermines the bonds of solidarity between those of different sexes, races, and nationalities.”
The group said,
“We should legislate to root out DEI in hiring practices, sentencing decisions and wherever else we find it in our public bodies.”
In the same article criticising DEI, Blue Labour insisted,
“Immigration is not a distraction or a culture war issue; it is the most fundamental of political questions, a cause of social fragmentation, and the basis of our broken political economy.”
They added,
“We should drastically reduce immigration, reducing low-skill immigration by significantly raising salary thresholds; closing the corrupt student visa mill system; and ending the exploitation of the asylum system, if necessary prioritising domestic democratic politics over the rule of international lawyers.”
What are Labour ministers doing to address ethnicity and disability pay gaps?
Seema Malhotra, the Equalities Minister, declared in February that the government is fully dedicated to diversity and inclusion, with legislation mandating large employers to disclose pay gaps by ethnicity and disability advancing in Parliament.
As the consultation on the equality (race and disability) bill nears its 10 June deadline, Minister Stephen Timms and Ms Malhotra stated that the “commitment to creating a more equal society in which people can thrive whatever their background” is an “essential element” of Labour’s initiatives.
They added,
“The reality is far from that goal. For example, currently, most ethnic minority groups earn on average less than their white British peers. Similarly, while there has been growth in employment rates for disabled people in recent years, disabled people have, on average, lower incomes than non-disabled people. While previous Labour governments introduced landmark … equality-related legislation, more still remains to be done.”
What’s behind the backlash over Keir Starmer’s migration speech?
Following the local elections on May 1, in which Reform UK gained significant ground by seizing many Labour-held seats, the prime minister appears to be adopting a more culturally conservative stance. The intention is to challenge Nigel Farage’s appeal. However, it risks alienating minority ethnic voters, who traditionally backed Labour more than white and left-leaning voters.
In mid-May, ministers firmly rejected claims that Mr Starmer’s speech resembled Enoch Powell’s speech, which suggested Britain risked turning into an “island of strangers.” During the address, he argued that “uncontrolled migration” has caused “incalculable damage” while revealing plans to reduce net migration.
UK immigration policy changes proposed in 2025
- Skilled worker visa: Minimum skill level raised from RQF 3 (A-level) to RQF 6 (degree-level), with limited exceptions for shortage occupations 111.
- Settlement (ILR): Standard qualifying period extended from 5 to 10 years, with potential reductions for high contributors (criteria undefined) 13.
- Social care visas: Closed to new overseas applicants; existing workers can extend/switch until 2028 16.
- Graduate visa: Reduced from 2 years to 18 months
- English language rules: Raised to B2 for main applicants; A1 introduced for dependants, escalating to B2 for settlement
- Salary thresholds: Increased for Skilled Workers; Immigration Salary List abolished
- Immigration skills Charge: Rising by 32% for employers
- Temporary shortage list: Replaces shortage occupations for roles below RQF 6, with stricter conditions
- Exemptions: Partners of British citizens and the EU Settlement Scheme retain a 5-year ILR path
- Retroactivity: Unclear if changes apply to existing visa holders; consultation pending
- High-skill routes: Expanded Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas
- Student visa sponsors: Tighter compliance rules and potential levy on international student fees