In a striking address that sent shockwaves through the Conservative Party Conference, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch delivered a devastating verdict on Britain's immigration system, declaring it fundamentally "not fit for purpose."
The senior cabinet minister didn't hold back in her criticism, stating unequivocally that the current framework fails to serve British workers or the national interest. Her comments represent the most significant intervention in the immigration debate from a senior government figure in recent memory.
A System in Crisis
Badenoch painted a picture of an immigration infrastructure that has lost its way, emphasising that mere tinkering around the edges would no longer suffice. "What we need," she asserted, "is not minor adjustments but wholesale reform to create a system that actually works for Britain."
The minister's blunt assessment comes amid growing Conservative concern about record net migration figures and mounting pressure from within the party to deliver on manifesto promises to bring numbers down substantially.
Putting British Workers First
At the heart of Badenoch's argument was the compelling case for prioritising domestic talent. She stressed that any functional immigration system must "serve the interests of British workers first and foremost," suggesting the current model undermines this fundamental principle.
Her comments reflect broader government thinking about rebalancing the economy away from dependency on foreign labour and toward greater investment in homegrown skills and training.
Conference Room Reactions
The speech was met with enthusiastic applause from Tory activists, many of whom have grown increasingly frustrated with the government's inability to significantly reduce migration numbers despite repeated promises.
Badenoch's direct approach appears calculated to reassure the Conservative base that senior ministers understand their concerns and are prepared to take radical action to address them.
The Road to Reform
While stopping short of outlining specific policy measures, the Business Secretary made clear that comprehensive changes are necessary to create an immigration framework that:
- Protects British job seekers and workers
- Responds to genuine skills shortages without undermining wage growth
- Maintains Britain's border security and sovereignty
- Supports sustainable economic growth
Her intervention sets the stage for what promises to be a major policy battle within government as different factions debate the best approach to delivering meaningful immigration reform.
