Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on the Labour administration to uphold its plan for a 10-year residency requirement for permanent settlement, arguing that temporary work visas must not be seen as a guarantee of staying in the country indefinitely.
In a formal letter shared on social media and sent to the Home Secretary, Badenoch criticized moves by some Labour members to weaken proposed immigration changes. She was joined in this appeal by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp. The Conservatives expressed strong opposition to reports that the government might exclude approximately two million migrants who arrived on work visas since 2021 from these tighter rules.
Badenoch labeled any potential exemption a major error. She asserted that the previous five-year threshold for indefinite leave to remain was insufficient and contributed to past policy failures. According to the Conservative leader, those who have not made a substantial economic impact over a decade should depart when their visas expire. She highlighted that individuals in low-wage or low-skill roles could potentially be replaced by local workers if more domestic opportunities were developed.
Furthermore, the letter noted that allowing permanent settlement after only five years places an unnecessary strain on the national welfare system, as residents become entitled to state support and eventually citizenship. Badenoch clarified that extending this period is not a retrospective change, as temporary visas never inherently promised permanent status. She pledged that the Conservative Party will support the original, stronger version of the government’s immigration reforms if they are presented in Parliament without modifications.
