I'd make it harder to get British citizenship, says Badenoch

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has stated that the residency requirement for immigrants applying for British citizenship should be extended from the current six years to fifteen years. This marks one of the first significant policy announcements since Badenoch assumed leadership, aimed at tightening immigration policies.

Badenoch also stated that individuals with criminal records, those who have received welfare benefits, or resided in social housing should not be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), as ILR is a prerequisite for obtaining citizenship. She emphasized that citizenship is a privilege, not simply a right, and should be granted to those who have a "meaningful connection" with the UK.

Labour minister Angela Eagle responded by saying, "After 14 years of Conservative rule and repeated failures, no one will take anything they claim seriously." Badenoch told the BBC that the current rules create a "conveyor belt" to citizenship for those who have just arrived in the UK. She believes that too many people are obtaining citizenship through this route, putting pressure on public services.

The Conservative Party hopes to extend the time required to apply for permanent residency from five years to ten years, followed by a further five-year waiting period before applying for citizenship. The party hopes the government will adopt these amendments and apply them retroactively to 2021, through modifications to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which will be debated in Parliament next week. Badenoch stated that this policy would help reduce immigration numbers, but she did not specify the exact reduction.

Badenoch had previously stated that there were "mistakes" in the Conservative Party's immigration policy during its time in power, leading to a record high net migration of 906,000 people. She also stated that there should be a cap on immigration numbers but declined to reveal a specific cap figure, arguing that it depends on the specific circumstances. When asked if she was panicking due to the growing popularity of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, Badenoch stated that her party "needs to rebuild public trust," and it is natural for the public to turn to "protest parties."