Priti Patel Calls for Action on “Boriswave” Migration Concerns

Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary and former home secretary under Boris Johnson, acknowledged the rising political threat posed by Reform UK at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. During her speech at the POLITICO Pub, she emphasized the need for the Conservative Party to address the so-called “Boriswave” of migration, which has become a polarizing issue in British politics since the pandemic began.

The term “Boriswave” has been popularized by right-wing commentators and is used to describe the significant increase in migration attributed to policies implemented during Johnson’s time in office. Patel stated, “It is, and I acknowledge that and absolutely accept that. So we have to move forward and do something about that, which is exactly the space our party is in right now.”

In response to the growing political discourse on immigration, the Conservatives have proposed a new initiative aimed at detaining and deporting migrants. This plan mirrors the U.S. model of immigration enforcement, specifically the tactics employed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The party aims to remove 750,000 individuals over the next five years.

While discussing this proposal, Patel was asked to clarify the differences between the British and American immigration enforcement models. She noted, “The two are different. America’s model is very different,” highlighting that the British approach would tailor itself to the specific legal framework of the UK.

The debate surrounding migration is not isolated to the UK; it has emerged as a significant issue across Europe in the wake of the pandemic. This situation has intensified political discussions about immigration policies, contributing to the urgency with which Patel and her party are now addressing the matter.

As the Conservative Party seeks to solidify its position on immigration, it remains to be seen how these new initiatives will be received by the public and how they will impact the political landscape moving forward.