Adapted from the Labour Campaign for Free Movement template motion for Labour conference 2025 (which did not get to conference floor)

The Tories constructed an inhumane border regime, scapegoating migrants for low wages, crumbling services and a housing crisis that, in truth, are caused by austerity and exploitation. This scapegoating myth is fuelling the rise of Reform and anti-migrant violence. To beat Farage, Labour must not prop up that myth but dismantle it, and counter with real solutions that build solidarity – taxing the rich to build good homes, jobs and public services for everyone.

We oppose the recent indications from the government that it will tighten immigration restrictions rather than loosen them.

We call on the Labour government, within one year, to:

• scrap the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024, Illegal Migration Act 2023, Nationality and Borders Act 2022, Immigration Acts 2014 and 2016, Immigration White Paper 2025;
• reverse this government’s increases to visa income thresholds and permanent settlement wait times, the separation of care workers from their families, and refugee citizenship restrictions;
• restore the fundamental right to have asylum applications heard fairly regardless of arrival route;
• guarantee safe, legal routes for asylum seekers which are not conditional on deportations;
• grant day-one equal rights to work, services and social security;
• abolish “no recourse to public funds” and NHS charges.

And before the next general election, to:

• grant all UK residents equal voting rights;
• halt immigration raids
• end immigration detention;
• introduce a simple process for all residents to gain permanent residency;
• re-enter Europe’s free movement area, and pursue free movement agreements with other countries.