LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out plans on Sunday to terminate the preferential treatment for EU migrants, as opinion polls have skewed in favour of Conservative Party which has the highest level of support since 2017 ahead of the upcoming Dec 12th election.
The upcoming election was called to break the deadlock over the decision of Brexit, over three years since the country voted marginally in favour of exiting the EU in a 2016 referendum.
Johnson is banking on scoring a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the EU last month. Labour leader from the opposition party, Jeremy Corbyn has assured to renegotiate the exit agreement and to later hold another referendum.
Setting out their immigration policy post-Brexit, Conservatives to treat non-EU migrants and EU the same from January 2021. This includes a five-year wait to receive welfare payments and a surcharge to access health services.
“As we come out of the EU we have a new opportunity for fairness and to make sure all those who come here are treated the same. We will make our immigration system equal,” Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson was unsuccessful in getting his deal approved by parliament ahead of an Oct. 31 Brexit deadline. This may be in part attributed to a rebellion by a few of his own lawmakers over the speed at which he proposed to push through the legislation.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
