Best of the Spectator Quite right!: Labour’s migration crackdown & why the Rwanda plan was ‘ahead of its time’
Nov 19, 2025
The podcast discusses Labour's new asylum proposals and the potential rise of Shabana Mahmood within the party. It debates whether her Denmark-inspired model can succeed or if it risks backlash from the Labour left. The hosts then tackle the complexities of climate policy as COP30 struggles to gain traction, questioning if the UK is hampering itself economically. Lastly, they explore Channel 4's claim about Hitler's genetics, pondering the impact of reducing historical figures to their biology.
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Labour's Temporary-Asylum Model
- Shabana Mahmood framed asylum as a temporary, reviewable status with a 20-year wait for permanent settlement to deter permanent migration.
- The proposal mimics Denmark in spirit but stops short of harsher measures like property confiscation and strict integration policies.
Denmark's Integration Edge
- Denmark's model is tougher on integration, including policies aimed at preventing concentrated non-European communities.
- Michael Gove doubts such measures are practicable in UK cities with long-standing migrant populations.
Manage Expectations On Returns
- Expect legal and institutional barriers to frustrate ambitious return schemes like Rwanda; manage public expectations accordingly.
- Pursue reforms within political red lines while preparing for long implementation timelines and judicial pushback.