Many Brits are feeling worn out and frustrated when it comes to the topic of mass migration, especially as it reshapes our nation in profound and lasting ways.
What once seemed startling or even unbelievable in migration statistics now barely raises an eyebrow.
Just this week, we received some eye-opening numbers: Over a million people moved to Britain last year, with most coming from outside Europe.
This pushed our net migration up to 622,000 in just one year—roughly the population of two Nottinghams.
Immigration is now the primary driver of population growth in the UK.
While the natural increase—more births than deaths—added only 400 people, immigration contributed more than 600,000.
The trend is set to accelerate, with predictions of a 6.5 million increase in our population over the next 12 years, 90% of which will be due to immigration.
That’s enough people to fill five cities the size of Birmingham in just a few years.
The fact that these figures aren’t dominating the news shows just how weary we’ve become.
In major cities, the loss of traditional British culture is so pronounced that many don’t even notice how often English is not spoken.
In Bristol, for instance, data reveals over 90 languages spoken across 285 ethnic groups.
Our growing resignation to these changes is damaging our democracy.
Trust in major political parties and the political system is at a historic low, with many feeling misled and let down over the past 25 years.
Politicians have failed to deliver on their promises regarding immigration, contributing to the lowest support for the main parties in a century and a dramatic drop in voter turnout.
This frustration is why seven out of ten Britons feel neither the Left nor the Right represents their views.
So, what’s Labour’s plan? Sir Keir Starmer has called the immigration figures “shockingly high,” but the party has avoided setting any specific targets, essentially admitting it can’t control the flow.
The new Government seems disinterested in curbing migration, despite recent promises in the King’s Speech.
Labour has also scrapped the Rwanda plan, a key deterrent for illegal migrants crossing the Channel, despite a hefty £270 million already paid to Kigali.
Labour’s commitment to overturning Rishi Sunak’s Illegal Migration Act, which took a tough stance on Channel crossings, further complicates matters.
While Labour has pledged to combat human trafficking gangs, many experts doubt this can be done effectively without a deterrent like the Rwanda plan.
Instead, we’re seeing new bureaucratic initiatives like Labour’s ‘Border Security Command,’ which seems more about appearances than real solutions.
In contrast, European governments, supported by the EU, are implementing stricter measures.
The European Commission is enhancing anti-trafficking forces and increasing surveillance over the Mediterranean to tackle illegal migration from North Africa.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has vowed to detain and repatriate illegal migrants, while other EU states are considering offshore processing agreements similar to Rwanda’s.
The UK’s Lagging Approach
It’s ironic that the UK, which left the EU to regain control of its borders, is now lagging behind Europe in addressing this crisis. Starmer’s lack of resolve will likely exacerbate the situation.
According to the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, the number of people risking their lives to cross the Channel has increased by 16% this year.
The Broader Impact of Migration
The issues aren’t limited to illegal migration; legal immigration is also contributing to our population surge.
Labour’s previous plans to discourage low-skilled foreign workers and tighten visa requirements now seem to be abandoned.
Meanwhile, our infrastructure is struggling under the pressure of increasing immigration, leading to a housing crisis, a failing NHS, and an overstretched police force.
The Erosion of National Identity
Beyond these tangible issues, immigration is eroding our national identity and culture.
As each wave of newcomers replaces the last, our shared sense of community and collective memory is at risk of being lost.
As a politics professor, I’m deeply concerned about the future of our democracy.
When millions feel abandoned by the political system, there’s a risk of turning to extreme solutions, as we’ve seen in the U.S. and France.
The Path Forward
To address these challenges, we need a credible deterrent for illegal migration and a cap on legal immigration.
The current number of over 600,000 should be reduced by half a million, focusing on migrants with valuable skills who can contribute positively to Britain.
We must acknowledge the unprecedented changes occurring in our country and demand action from our leaders.
Professor Matt Goodwin is the author of *Values, Voice and Virtue: The New British Politics* (Penguin).
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