Immigration has taken centre stage in the campaigns of the two main contenders aiming to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader. Their focus has been on imposing stricter visa regulations for Indians. This contentious issue ignited fervent discussion during the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, which started on Sunday.
Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister, has advocated for stringent visa restrictions on India unless it agrees to repatriate its nationals residing illegally in the UK. He pointed out that despite an existing agreement between the UK and India, deportations remain minimal, while India benefited from 250,000 visas last year.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Jenrick suggested imposing “severe visa restrictions” and reducing foreign aid to countries that resist accepting their illegal migrants. His firm stance has given him an early advantage in the race to replace Sunak.
#FPExplained: At the ongoing Conservative Party conference, Robert Jenrick, one of the frontrunners to replace Rishi Sunak, has said that India should be subjected to tough visa restrictions unless it takes back its nationals who enter Britain illegally.https://t.co/jtvQxTq1Ix
— Firstpost (@firstpost) September 30, 2024
Kemi Badenoch, another leading candidate and shadow housing secretary, has also centred her campaign around immigration. She criticised the cultural conflicts brought by new migrants, referencing incidents in Leicester last year following an India-Pakistan cricket match.
Badenoch told the BBC that many recent arrivals have brought views from their home countries that are incompatible with British values. As the former equalities minister, she witnessed cultural disputes from India spilling onto Leicester’s streets. She emphasised the need for newcomers to leave their old conflicts behind, insisting this was not controversial.
The leadership contest, in which former ministers James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat are also participating, will culminate in an online vote by Conservative Party members. The new leader is set to be announced on 2 November.
Sunak, who stepped down following a lacklustre general election in July, remains the interim leader of the opposition until his successor is chosen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who are the leading candidates to replace Rishi Sunak?
Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are the leading candidates.
What is the main focus of the candidates’ campaigns?
The main focus is on immigration, particularly visa restrictions for Indians.
Why does Robert Jenrick want tough visa restrictions on India?
Jenrick wants tough visa restrictions because he claims India is not taking back its nationals who are in the UK illegally.
What did Kemi Badenoch say about cultural disputes brought by new migrants?
Badenoch condemned the influence of cultural disputes and said they should be left behind when coming to the UK.
When will the new Conservative Party leader be announced?
The new leader is expected to be announced on November 2.