Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is resolute in his approach to immigration reform, according to his allies, despite significant opposition from within the Labour Party. Dozens of Labour MPs have urged Burnham to abandon the proposed changes by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, which would significantly lengthen the time migrants must wait before becoming permanent residents in Britain.
Allies of Burnham emphasize his commitment to controlling immigration, with one senior source close to him stating, "Andy gets it. He knows how important it is to get proper control of immigration. He won't be backing down." Another insider echoed this sentiment, asserting that "the majority of the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] and wider party are fully behind Shabana and Andy on this."
Burnham's supporters highlight his connection to working-class communities, suggesting he understands their concerns about migration. A Cabinet minister supporting Burnham noted, "He's been speaking to colleagues about this and reassuring them that there will be no backsliding. The thing people forget about Andy is he's from Wigan, not central Manchester. He understands how working people feel about this. He's on their side."
The proposed changes include doubling the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to ten years, with the plan to apply it retrospectively to individuals already in the UK. Labour backbenchers have expressed concerns that this policy is not fair and risks alienating progressive voters, warning that the party might be "seen as a pale imitation of Reform" by adopting such stances.
Rebel MPs plan to signal their opposition during the upcoming debate on the Immigration Bill. While the ILR proposal is not directly part of the bill, many MPs are expected to abstain from voting on its Second Reading, with some intending to speak out against it. This move has echoes of a past revolt that led to the abandonment of proposed welfare cuts under Sir Keir Starmer, which reportedly damaged his authority.
There is also contention regarding the timing of the bill's progression, with some MPs expressing frustration that its Second Reading was scheduled for Monday, knowing Burnham was soon to take over as Prime Minister. "They set a test of how serious he is about immigration reform," one source commented.
Further complicating the immigration debate, the bill proposes that refugee status will no longer be permanent. Asylum grantees will face reviews every 30 months to assess ongoing danger in their home countries or the possibility of safe return. Labour MP Stella Creasy questioned the practicality of this, stating, "I think the Home Office have to get the basics right before we start spending more money asking the same refugees if they are still victims of torture. It’s difficult to see how the answer is going to change."
Additionally, Britain's equalities watchdog has raised concerns with MPs regarding proposals that could make it more difficult for foreign criminals to use their right to a family life to avoid deportation. Mary-Ann Stephenson, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, highlighted the need for close attention to the definition of "family life" under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights as applied in immigration cases.