In an analysis for the Fabian Society, I suggest a range of possible ways to square the circle between voters’ concerns about migration and the urgent need to keep our economy afloat.
All of these measures are completely within May’s power right now, and they are entirely consistent with EU rules on free movement. By signalling a willingness to enforce the rules properly, the prime minister could show herself to be tough on migration in a way that really mattered — addressing voters’ genuine concerns rather than stirring up artificial ones.
And, most importantly of all, we would not have to sacrifice our national prosperity on the altar of xenophobia just to paper over the Tories’ failures.
