Prime Minister in 'minority of one' in Cabinet on international students and net migration. The Commons majority in favour of her position is Amber Rudd's trump card. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5…
This will make much less difference if/when the shonky exit data gets fixed. The irony is that May has spent several years doggedly opposing a change that would have reduced the headline net migration stat significantly when *the change would chime with public intuitions*
What the public think britishfuture.org/articles/publi…
Another irony: if Theresa May has backed down on international students, the new more liberal approach is actually an example of copying Ukip policy! britishfuture.org/articles/news/… Underlining lack of political/public pressure from the right on this issue
No 10: PM not backing down on international students (yet). Despite obvious Commons majority for change: "I am not aware there is a vote". news.sky.com/story/calls-to… The policy will (finally) be gone by Easter; as Commons will insist, if the Cabinet does not do so sooner
In the media: I think the Times, the Telegraph, the Spectator and the Sun have all editorialised against the net migration target including international students, alongside the Guardian, FT, Economist, New Statesman. Again, a v.broad consensus.
