While attention has been focused elsewhere, the Tories’ key policy aimed at positioning themselves as defenders of social cohesion and national identity seems to have been junked.
The home secretary’s former chief of staff, Nick Timothy, has said the government is no longer trying to bring immigration levels down. On the contrary, its policy now is to push the numbers up.
Suck your cheeks indeed. For most voters, immigration is the issue of issues. An Ipsos MORI poll in October found 52 per cent of people rated it among the most important challenges facing Britain, and the top concern for the past five months.
No wonder. After Ukip forced this topic on to the agenda, David Cameron pledged to reduce immigration below 100,000 per year.