UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has issued a sharp critique of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour-led government, calling for urgent action on immigration and the swift adoption of the Conservatives’ proposed Deportation Bill.
In a video message posted Saturday on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Badenoch accused Labour of failing to address the scale of the UK’s immigration crisis and described the government’s current efforts as “insulting to the public.”
“I think Labour are taking us for fools. This is nowhere near the scale of the change we need to see,” she said.
Badenoch argued that Labour’s immigration policies are not only inadequate but contradictory, noting that the government is now advocating for measures it previously opposed.
“Many of the things he was announcing are part of the things they are voting against right now. I’m talking about putting serious things into legislation — like a cap on the number of people coming into the country,” she stated.
The senior Conservative also emphasized the need for “systemic change,” including tougher pathways to British citizenship and reforms to the Human Rights Act.
“Take indefinite leave to remain — we wanted it to be 15 years. It’s too quick, the rate at which people get British citizenship. He’s watered that down to 10 years and again kicked it into the long grass,” she added.
Badenoch also pointed to the strain on public infrastructure as evidence of a broken system.
“The fact of the matter is that public services are being strained. There’s not enough housing, people can’t get GP appointments.”
In a follow-up written post, Badenoch doubled down on her stance:
“Labour have blocked every serious step to stop illegal and legal migration. Today’s vague promises come with no plan and no timetable. Our Deportation Bill is tougher and ready to deliver. They should stop taking the public for fools and back it.”
The clash marks a renewed flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the UK, with Conservatives pressing for tougher enforcement measures and Labour defending its more cautious approach.
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