FORMER home secretary Alan Johnson has told Shabana Mahmood to ignore Labour backbenchers opposing her immigration reforms and press ahead, warning that listening to them could hurt Labour.
Johnson, who was home secretary when Gordon Brown lost the 2010 general election, said migration was a “very big issue” for voters, The Telegraph reported.
Labour MPs Urge Burnham to Ease Mahmood Migration reforms
Asked what advice he would give Mahmood, he said: “Don’t listen to your Labour colleagues – press ahead. When you’re doing something that really needs to be done, particularly on illegal immigration, you always get a kickback, and she’s got to carry on.”
His comments came in a Policy Exchange pamphlet based on interviews with 14 former home secretaries about immigration, policing, crime and terrorism.
Mahmood is seeking to end permanent refugee status and increase the wait for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to 10 years or more, including for people already in Britain.
More than 100 Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner, have opposed the ILR changes.
Can Burnham find a new balance on immigration?
Johnson backed Mahmood’s decision to follow Denmark’s approach, saying: “She’s right to take the Danish route. The more she listens to her backbenchers, the worse it’ll be, because it’s a very big issue for the public,” he said.
He warned that failing to address illegal migration could help bring a Reform or Conservative government to power, The Telegraph reported.
Migrant workers still bring dependants despite UK curbs
Lord Baker also backed Mahmood, saying: “She’s very clear what she wants to do on immigration and it’s a very tough policy. It’s a correct policy, in my view.”
The former home secretaries also supported Mahmood’s plans to take a more interventionist approach with police chiefs.
