UK Immigration Policy in the Spotlight as Rajesh Mirchandani Contends for Opposition Leader Position to Succeed Rishi Sunak
UK immigration policy has thus far been at the centre of the contest given Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Tory leader and Leader of the Opposition. Of the two main contenders, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, both are making immigration policy central to their campaigns and are calling for tighter visa restrictions on Indian nationals unless the country agrees to take back illegal migrants.
Tougher Immigration Edge: Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick Proposes Stricter Indian Visas
Former immigration minister and leadership favourite Robert Jenrick has identified India as the country he believes should be placed with stronger controls over visas. While 250,000 visas were issued last year to Indian nationals for work and study, amongst other reasons, there are an estimated 100,000 Indians residing illegally in the UK. Although the UK and India have a 2021 Migration and Mobility Partnership that seeks to facilitate the return of illegal migrants, deportations are still so minimal as to return annually a few hundred Indian nationals. Jenrick has further argued that unless India cooperates with taking back its nationals, the UK ought to enforce visa restrictions in all categories, which would then compel India to comply.
Jenrick’s policy is echoed by many in the Conservative Party, which wants greater control over immigration. He referred to UK visa leniency with those countries that do not assist with repatriation: “The UK ought not to be taken for mugs.”
Badenoch's take on cultural clashes and immigration
Kemi Badenoch, the closest rival of Jenrick, has also criticised the contemporary immigration system, emphasising the need for the assimilation of migrants in British culture. Last month, while speaking to the BBC, Badenoch cited the flare-up in Leicester in 2022 following the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match where cultural disputes within the mother countries are being taken to the streets of the UK. She again emphasised that aliens should leave behind their old cultural wars while visiting Britain.
Badenoch’s comments have gained wider publicity for being socio-integrationist and the integration of people of other nationalities into British life. Though she did not directly shoot her guns at Indian visas, her remarks perfectly fit into the broader rhetoric of the Conservative Party demanding stricter rules on immigration.
Race to Leadership and Future Immigration Policy
After the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, the battle for the leadership contenders will really heat up, and Jenrick and Badenoch emerge as the most prominent. The entire conference session will bring in all other contenders to make their pitches to the MPs before this contest would then be drawn down to two candidates who would go into an online vote by the members.
The winner of the election is to be announced on November 2, 2024. As the campaign heats up, immigration is going to remain centre stage, especially in the light of visa policies and the diplomatic relations with a country like India. The winner, in any case, would turn the tide in immigration policy in the UK for many years to come.
Conclusion: Indian Visas in the UK: Where do they go from here?
As the UK changes its leadership, the issue of immigration has risen to the surface, but especially that of the one targeting Indian visas. Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch have demonstrated a will to be tighter in their controls of immigration, and the approach differed slightly. Jenrick’s focus is going to be on deportations and visa restrictions; that will definitely have severe impacts on Indians wanting to study, work, or simply visit the UK. Badenoch’s focus is on social cohesion, and that will also have an indirect impact on the future immigration policy. As the Conservative Party preps up to elect its new leader, the Indian visa and immigration policy remain very much in the spotlight.
