Immigration has once again taken centre stage in British politics, not just as a policy matter but as a defining question of national identity. At the Labour Party Conference, it was clear that the debate is no longer confined to party manifestos. It now strikes at the core of who we are as a people, the values we defend, and the kind of future we wish to build.
At the conference, Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not mince his words when addressing the leader of the Reform Party, describing him as racist and divisive. This was more than political rhetoric; it was a bold attempt to draw a clear line between the politics of fear and the politics of responsibility. Yet, beneath the fiery exchanges lies a growing pressure. Reform has built its influence largely on public discontent around immigration, and Labour’s sudden pivot towards measures such as the introduction of an electronic identity card for all adults reflects the weight of that pressure. These identity cards are framed as a way to secure the country’s borders and tighten control, but they also raise difficult questions about civil liberties and trust between citizens and the state.
Meanwhile, the Conservative government under Kemi Badenoch has also rolled out strategies that touch at the very heart of belonging in Britain. Proposals to review and possibly restrict the criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship are being considered. These measures are presented as a way to ensure integrity within the immigration system, but they risk alienating long-standing residents who have contributed immensely to the life of this nation. For many who have built families, careers, and communities here, the thought of shifting the goalposts feels like a betrayal of trust.
Both major parties are struggling with the most urgent and emotive dimension of immigration: the perilous crossings of small boats across the Channel. These journeys, made by desperate people fleeing war, poverty, and persecution, are fraught with danger. Lives are lost at sea, yet the political discourse has been consumed more by how to deter and punish than by how to save and support. The central moral question is being missed. While boats remain a risk to human life, the focus has shifted to managing those already within the UK rather than preventing further tragedies at sea.
As a social worker, I see the faces behind the statistics. Immigration is not just policy but people. Families who seek safety, children who dream of a future, and men and women who are willing to work hard for dignity. As a political commentator, I see how fear and division are used as tools for political survival. And as a British citizen who means well for this country, I believe the path forward must balance security with compassion. We cannot allow immigration to be reduced to a race of who can sound toughest. We must have the courage to address root causes, to create safe and legal routes, and to uphold Britain’s historic role as a place of refuge.
In this moment, the Labour government has an opportunity to rise above populist pressures. Electronic identity cards may satisfy calls for control, and tightening rules around citizenship may appeal to the impatient, but these do not answer the deeper humanitarian challenge. Britain must look not only at who is already here but also at how to prevent more loss of life on our shores. Real leadership requires both firmness and fairness, and above all, a recognition of our shared humanity. Both Labour and the Conservatives must rethink their approach and build policies that reflect not only the need for security but also the values of justice, compassion, and responsibility that define our society.
Written by Christian Aboagye, Social Worker, Mental Health Practitioner, Elected Governor for Greater Manchester Mental Health Services (Social Care Staff), and Youth Organiser for NDC Manchester Branch
