The lesson from 2010-16 is that making undeliverable promises and scaremongering on immigration is a strategy with a high risk of backfire for the Cons.
In addition, the polling since 2016 suggests public concern has dropped and positive views of imms have risen
In addition, the polling since 2016 suggests public concern has dropped and positive views of imms have risen
It comes as no surprise that a Con leadership dominated by Vote Leave veterans would want to bang the anti-immigration drum.
But it may not work. And even if it does, there may be a hefty price to pay down the line
But it may not work. And even if it does, there may be a hefty price to pay down the line
Moves like this reinforce the distrust of ethnic minorities in particular, and social liberals in general. They further cement the belief that, when push comes to shove, the Cons are not on their on the side of minorities or migrants, but the people who hate and fear them.
Given that the electorate is becoming steadily more diverse and socially liberal, this is the electoral equivalent of a binge drinking bender - it might feel good in the short run, but there will be a hell of a price to pay down the line
