IMMIGRATION

Recent waves of large-scale inward migration have caused division and economic harm. They have depressed British workers’ wages, dis-incentivised investment in productivity and skills training and have put pressure on housing, public services, criminal justice and the welfare system. While some highly skilled migration is necessary and welcome, plugging labour market gaps with the short-term fix of imported labour is a harmful addiction. It must end.

The outdated post-WW2 asylum system is being misused as a vehicle for mass economic migration. It must be replaced with programmes focused on in-region humanitarian aid. For far too long unprecedented population change has been forced on the United Kingdom without democratic consent – denying voters the cultural sovereignty and security they deserve. Our new settlement is essential to bring about a strong, united and prosperous Britain.

Click here to read “Immigration Policy in the National Interest”, the SDP’s full immigration policy statement from February 2026

POLICY PLEDGES:

• We will end mass immigration to Britain. Our citizens will be trained and incentivized in sufficient numbers in every sector such that large-scale labour migration is not required.
• We will establish and maintain a ‘Red List’ of countries whose migrants to Britain are proven to be disproportionately criminal, welfare dependent or economically inactive. Immigration from such states will cease in all but exceptional circumstances.
• Britain will withdraw from the 1951 Refugee Convention, the ECHR and all other international instruments which deny UK border sovereignty and revoke any British law which has the same effect.
• People who breach the British border without immigration clearance will be deported immediately or detained offshore for up to two years on Ascension Island and then repatriated. All those living in Britain illegally will be deported.
• Britain will support humanitarian and refugee projects region-by-region throughout the world. A limited number will be offered temporary sanctuary in Britain but will return home once their country is safe. Those who visit their home country without permission will have their sanctuary status revoked.
• Workforce immigration will be controlled via temporary visas for high-skilled people who come for work only. Visa workers in Britain and their dependants will be economically self-sustaining and will have no recourse to welfare, state housing, unemployment funding or healthcare without suitable insurance.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be overhauled. Existing holders of ILR will retain their right to stay in Britain but access to public funds will depend on past contribution. In future, the granting of ILR or British citizenship will require 10 years’ residence, a clean criminal record, standard English and evidence of net positive fiscal contribution. British citizenship criteria will be strengthened, with migrants required to hold ILR for five years and still meet ILR requirements to apply for citizenship.
• British citizens living abroad will be encouraged to return with tax breaks and other incentives.
• The post-pandemic immigration surge will be reversed. Those who came to the UK during this period will not be granted ILR and will be required to leave Britain when their visa expires unless they meet strict tests for rare and required skills.
• The use of marriage and family visas for ‘chain migration’ will end. Family visas will be restricted to those with British relatives or for marriage to a British citizen, granted only to those with good quality spoken and written English and never where marriage was entered into primarily to settle in Britain.
• Study visas will be limited to students attending accredited universities with good quality English. Undergraduates will not bring dependents. Only those who have critically needed skills will be permitted to stay beyond graduation.
• Exit checks at all UK points of departure will be reinstated and matched with visa entry data to ensure that overstay is tracked and prevented. Foreign criminals will be deported and dual nationals who commit serious crime will be deported and have their citizenship revoked.
• The right to vote or to hold public office will be reserved for British citizens. Dual nationals will be barred from holding either ministerial office or senior roles in the civil service, police and military.