Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Johnson Urges Mahmood to Press Ahead With Immigration Reforms
Shabana Mahmood is proposing tougher rules about immigration and refugees.
She wants people to wait longer before getting permanent permission to stay in Britain.
More than 100 Labour MPs disagree with part of her plan.
Alan Johnson, a former home secretary, told her not to change course because immigration is important to voters.
He said opposition from colleagues is expected when governments tackle illegal immigration.
Johnson also said Mahmood was right to look at Denmark’s approach.
He warned that failing to deal with illegal migration could help Reform or the Conservative Party win power.
Another former home secretary, Lord Baker, also supported the reforms.
The former home secretaries supported Mahmood’s plan to take a stronger role in overseeing police chiefs.
Former home secretary Alan Johnson urged Shabana Mahmood to ignore Labour backbench opposition and continue her immigration reforms.
Mahmood wants to end permanent refugee status and extend the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five years to 10 years or more.
More than 100 Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner, oppose the proposed indefinite-leave changes.
Johnson and Lord Baker supported Mahmood’s tougher approach, including following Denmark’s model on immigration.
Former home secretaries also backed Mahmood’s plans for a more interventionist approach toward police chiefs.
- Who
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, former home secretary Alan Johnson, Lord Baker, and opposing Labour MPs.
- What
- Johnson urged Mahmood to continue proposed immigration reforms despite opposition from Labour backbenchers.
- When
- The comments were made in connection with a Policy Exchange pamphlet reported on in the article.
- Where
- The reforms concern people in Britain.
- Why
- Johnson said migration is a major issue for voters and warned that failing to address illegal migration could help bring a Reform or Conservative government to power.
Labour Backbenchers
Former Home Secretaries
Longer wait for permanent status
Labour Backbenchers
More than 100 Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner, oppose Mahmood’s proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain.
Former Home Secretaries
Alan Johnson and Lord Baker support Mahmood’s tougher immigration policy and her proposal to lengthen the wait.
Handling political opposition
Labour Backbenchers
Opposing Labour MPs are pressing back against the proposed reforms, particularly the indefinite-leave changes.
Former Home Secretaries
Johnson says Mahmood should ignore the revolt and continue, arguing that action on illegal immigration is necessary and important to voters.
- Proposed refugee change
- Mahmood is seeking to end permanent refugee status.
- Indefinite leave to remain
- The proposed wait would rise from five years to 10 years or more, including for some people already in Britain.
- Labour opposition
- More than 100 Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner, oppose the indefinite-leave changes.
- Johnson’s advice
- Alan Johnson told Mahmood not to listen to Labour colleagues and to press ahead.
- Danish approach
- Johnson backed Mahmood’s decision to follow Denmark’s approach on immigration.
- Policy Exchange pamphlet
- The pamphlet was based on interviews with 14 former home secretaries about immigration, policing, crime, and terrorism.
- Police policy
- The former home secretaries supported a more interventionist approach toward police chiefs.