A Liberal Policy on inward Migration

 The following is lifted 100% from a post by  Matthew Hulbert on Liberal Democrat Voice (17th November 2025.https://www.libdemvoice.org/mathew-on-monday-labours-reformlite-immigration-crackdown-isnt-leadership-its-politics-by-fear-78723.html)

 

"Liberals should say this clearly: You don’t fix the asylum system by making life harder for refugees. You fix it by creating safe, managed, humane routes to the UK; by processing claims efficiently; and by helping people (not forcing them) to integrate and contribute once they’re here, as the overwhelming majority of people do.

A genuinely fair system would do three things.

First, expand safe and legal routes so people fleeing war and persecution don’t have to gamble their lives on dangerous journeys.

We know this works – it’s the safest, most cost-effective, and most orderly way to protect people and maintain public confidence.

Second, replace indefinite insecurity with clear, timely, routes to settlement. Twenty years in limbo doesn’t deter desperate people; it simply prevents them from building stable lives, working, contributing, and integrating into our communities.

Third, enforce the rules in a way that distinguishes between criminality and legitimate asylum claims. A blanket crackdown treats human beings as a problem to be managed rather than as neighbours, workers, parents, friends, and future citizens.

Our Liberal vision isn’t naïve. Rules matter. But compassion matters too. The two can – and must – go together. A Britain that treats people with dignity is a Britain that strengthens its own social fabric and moral standing.

Labour had the chance to show that progressive government can be principled as well as pragmatic. Instead, this Prime Minister and his new Home Secretary opted for headlines over humanity.

As Liberal Democrats we must make the case for something better: an immigration system rooted in fairness, compassion, and confidence – a system that treats everyone as human beings, not political props."

Thank you Mr Hulbert. I hope our parliamentary party adopts this policy and its tone lock, stock and barrel. and so demonstrates there is till a sense common decency in Britain's political system.

 

As well as posting regularly  on LDV Matthew Hulbert is   Co-Host of the Political Frenemies podcast.