The Conservative Party has unveiled a full bill that it claims, if enacted, would “take back control of our borders”.
The so-called Deportation Bill is described by the Conservatives as “serious, detailed and uncompromising alternative” to the government’s immigration plan. It marks the first time since the general election last July that the Conservative Party has outlined a full bill.
Its publication coincides with the return of the government’s Border Security, Immigration and Asylum Bill to the House of Commons for its report stage.
Commenting on the Conservative Party’s new bill, shadow home secretary Chris Philp condemned both Labour and Reform UK’s “empty slogans and hollow promises” on migration.
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The Deportation Bill, Philp said, would “restore public confidence in our immigration system.”
The Conservative plan proposes automatic deportation for anyone arriving in the UK illegally, the disapplication of the Human Rights Act from all immigration-related matters, and the introduction of a legally binding cap on annual migration figures voted on by parliament.
To the effect of this latter point, the bill reads: “Within six months of the passing of this Act, the secretary of state must make regulations specifying the total maximum number of persons who may enter the United Kingdom annually across all non-visitor visa routes, with such regulations subject to approval by both Houses [of Parliament].”
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The party also wants to double the residency requirement for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to ten years, and introduce powers to revoke it from individuals deemed to be a “burden” on the state.
Other provisions include mandatory scientific age testing for asylum seekers, visa sanctions against countries that refuse to take back their nationals, and tighter restrictions on spousal and civil partner visas, including a proposed ban on visas for first-cousin marriages.
The bill also seeks to remove certain data protections for foreign nationals, including illegal migrants and convicted criminals, to facilitate deportations.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has described the bill as a “pragmatic and deliverable” alternative to the government’s approach, accusing ministers of failing to tackle rising small boat crossings.
“For months this Labour government has turned a blind eye to the crisis at our borders”, he said. “The Conservatives are today introducing the Deportation Bill – a bold, pragmatic and deliverable plan to take back control of our borders and restore public confidence in our immigration system.
“If Labour can’t or won’t act, we will an introduce a bill and Labour MPs can vote against it.”
Philp added: “Labour and Reform are both complicit in the trade of empty slogans and hollow promises. Our plan can be enacted now to get immigration back under control.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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