Daily Politics from the New Statesman How much does immigration actually matter to the public?
Nov 20, 2025
Callum Weir, a researcher at Labour Together and a savvy pollster, dives deep into public perceptions of immigration. He shares groundbreaking insights on how poll question design can shift issue rankings, revealing that while immigration is top of mind, the cost of living is the real priority for daily life. Weir discusses the surprising influence of media on immigration salience and the demographic nuances affecting voter opinions. Should politicians start focusing more on cost of living instead of immigration? It’s a thought-provoking debate!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Settled Status As Earned Membership
- Labour will extend qualifying years for settled status and tie faster routes to contributions like high pay or volunteering.
- This reframes settled status as conditional 'earned' membership rather than an automatic right after five years.
Party Unease Masks Public Calm
- Many Labour MPs privately dislike the immigration plans but are holding their tongues while the party seeks a politically palatable solution.
- The measures could still spark a rebellion when they reach a vote next year depending on party dynamics.
Jewellery Mess Up Shook Messaging
- Labour briefly signalled jewellery confiscation for migrants but quickly softened the line after backlash.
- Alva Ray and others noted the mixed messaging hurt Labour's communications on the policy.