Conservatives to Abandon Hardline Immigration Policies

Conservatives have been preparing to ditch hardline immigration policies, including highly contentious proposals to renegotiate the 1951 Geneva Convention and set annual quotas for refugees. The party aims to develop a "firm and fair" immigration policy through a major consultation exercise with Britain's ethnic minority communities. Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green has acknowledged the party's past stance on immigration was perceived as harsh and will signal a break with the party's aggressive tone on immigration.

Key Takeaways:

• The Conservatives plan to abandon highly contentious proposals to renegotiate the 1951 Geneva Convention and set annual quotas for refugees.
• The party will launch a major consultation exercise with Britain's ethnic minority communities to draw up a new immigration policy.
• Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green has promised to develop a "firm and fair" immigration policy that has the confidence of all sections of the community.
• The party will focus on efforts to secure Britain's borders and speed up the administration of the asylum and immigration systems.
• The consultation represents a change of tone to distance the Conservatives from their image as a hardline anti-immigration party.
• Senior Conservatives have acknowledged problems with the party's stance during last year's election.

Statistics:

• The 1951 Geneva Convention protects the rights of refugees worldwide.
• Britain's ethnic minority communities are being consulted on the new immigration policy.
• The consultation exercise will take place next week, with meetings planned for London, Manchester, Birmingham, and other cities in the autumn.
• 1 year ago, the world has moved on from the immigration policies discussed during the last general election.

Sources:

• The Guardian (name not mentioned)
• Wikipedia (name not mentioned)
• Commission for Racial Equality