Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary and former home secretary, expressed dissatisfaction with immigration levels during her tenure under the previous Conservative government. While she defended the party's record, stating that the points-based system helped manage immigration according to the economy's needs, she faced scrutiny over rising net migration figures. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative party leader, acknowledged immigration increases as a failure of political leaders, marking a shift in accountability within the party. The discussion highlights tensions within the Conservative party regarding their immigration narrative post-Brexit.
Patel, now shadow foreign secretary, stated it was 'totally distortionary' to claim the last Conservative government's actions led to open borders in the UK.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, recognized the rise in immigration as a 'collective failure of political leaders,' emphasizing the need for responsibility within the party.
Patel defended the points-based visa system, asserting it enabled the government to control immigration based on the UK's economic needs and priorities.
Despite the rise in immigration numbers during her tenure as home secretary, Patel insisted she did not mislead voters about the expectations surrounding Brexit.
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