Labour’s caveated immigration hawkishness

Shabana Mahmood advanced tougher border policy—doubling the time to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain—while stressing Labour identity and inclusive rhetoric. The conference reaction suggests party activists will back enforcement only when framed with liberal caveats ('greater Britain, not a littler England'). This indicates internal limits on how far Labour can move toward restriction without alienating its base. — It clarifies how coalition management constrains immigration reform, shaping the government’s ability to blunt Reform UK without fracturing Labour’s support.