Political Philosophy Podcast Should we compromise with the right on immigration? - With Thomas Prosser
Nov 9, 2025
Thomas Prosser, a political economy professor at Cardiff Business School, joins the discussion on Labour's immigration policies. They debate whether compromising with the right is strategically sound. Prosser argues that Labour's approach has ethical grounding despite poor polling. The conversation also touches on public opinion, media influence, and the potential backlash from accommodating radical views. They explore global political trends and the necessity for Labour to articulate strong anti-fascist values, highlighting nuanced differences between the UK and US political landscapes.
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Labour's Main Vote Leak Is Leftwards
- Prosser cites British Election Study data showing Labour bled twice as many voters to the left as to the right after 2024.
- He uses that to argue Labour's main electoral leak is leftwards, not to the far right.
Treat Public Opinion As A Constraint
- Prosser advises politicians to consider public opinion as it is and avoid leaning into liberal immigration stances when broad sentiment is negative.
- He warns such moves risk energising right-wing turnout and press attacks.
Personal Memory Of Anti-Polish Backlash
- Prosser recounts fearing the 2016 UK referendum surge of anti-Polish incidents and links that to his personal family context.
- He frames that memory as why he wants calmer discourse and pragmatic compromise.