Kemi Badenoch has announced a major new Conservative policy on immigration, proposing that immigrants should wait 15 years before applying for British citizenship—more than double the current requirement of six years. The policy, revealed ahead of the Labour government’s upcoming Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill debate in Parliament, aims to slow the pace of immigration and tighten the path to citizenship.
Under the Conservative plan, immigrants with criminal records or those who have claimed benefits or social housing would also be barred from obtaining leave to remain, which is a key step toward securing British citizenship. The Tories argue that these measures will ensure that only those who contribute positively to the UK are allowed to stay permanently. The party is urging the government to amend its Immigration Bill next week to incorporate these proposals, with a backdated implementation to 2021.
Speaking about the policy, Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said that the party was taking a tougher stance on immigration under her leadership. “We’re going to tell the hard truths about immigration. The pace of immigration has been too quick and the numbers coming too high for meaningful integration,” she said. “A UK passport should be a privilege, not an automatic right.”
The announcement signals a shift in Conservative strategy, with the party seeking to position itself as the voice of tougher immigration controls amid growing public concern over migration levels. Critics, however, are likely to argue that extending the citizenship timeline and introducing stricter conditions could create uncertainty for long-term migrants who have built their lives in the UK.
With Labour’s Immigration Bill set for debate next week, all eyes will be on whether the government takes on board the Conservatives’ proposals. The Tories hope their plan will push Labour into a firmer stance on immigration, an issue that remains a key battleground in British politics.
