Andy Burnham is playing us for fools over immigration as he snubs his Home Secretary
Andy Burnham is desperately trying to paper over huge divisions within his government over immigration.
TL;DR
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed doubling the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years, with retrospective application.
- The proposed changes are opposed by many members of the government, including Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.
- Around 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter demanding the Home Secretary scrap her plans.
- The government claims the proposals are part of a consultation, not a firm policy, but the Home Secretary has previously emphasized their necessity.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham supports the principle that settlement is a 'right to be earned' but has not fully backed Mahmood's specific proposals.
- The Prime Minister's ambiguous response casts doubt on the future of the proposed immigration reforms.