Boris Johnson’s Most Fundamental Failure: Immigration

“After all, one of the major reasons for the Conservatives’ 2019 election landslide victory was due to [Johnson’s] populist rhetoric regarding mass immigration, including the Conservatives’ promise that ‘overall numbers will come down.'”

In a recent announcement, the Conservative Party made clear that it is introducing sweeping legislation to tackle the United Kingdom’s illegal immigration crisis. The proposed bill would allow for asylum claims to be refused for those coming into the country via the English Channel, while also empowering the Home Secretary to send such migrants to safe other countries. Finally, after years of inaction, the Tories appear to be addressing one of Britain’s most pressing challenges.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been notably silent on this initiative since it was announced. Despite offering criticism of his successor’s approach to implementing Brexit, the former Prime Minister’s taciturnity regarding this crucial proposal is telling. Despite all of former Prime Minister Johnson’s populist bluster, he has little to say when it comes to responding to one of the major crises of our time here in the United Kingdom. While many episodes during his tumultuous tenure as Prime Minister make one question his sincerity, it is in immigration where his showman schtick is most completely exposed.

After all, one of the major reasons for the Conservatives’ 2019 election landslide victory was due to his populist rhetoric regarding mass immigration, including the Conservatives’ promise that “overall numbers will come down.” After two decades of failure on the part of both Labour and the Tories to address mass immigration, many voters were clearly impressed by then-candidate Johnson’s views on the issue. The think tank Migration Watch UK noted that he had at least “listened” to those concerned about this issue.