There is, really, little that is new in David Cameron’s speech on immigration today. Besides one or two grace notes, almost all of its policy suggestions
appeared in the Coalition Agreement: you know, all the stuff about a cap on
immigration and a Border Police Force. Its rhetoric is strikingly similar to Cameron’s last big speech on immigration in October 2007. So if he’s not saying anything
particularly groundbreaking, what is he saying? With the local elections only three weeks away — and on the back of the Lib Dems’ newfound assertiveness — it’s hard not to see this as
an outreach exercise. This is one for core Tory voters, or perhaps those considering voting Ukip or worse.
Which isn’t to say that Cameron’s speech is a Bad Thing. What it is is a solid restatement of his thinking on immigration — and a more nuanced one than the headlines might have you believe.
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