UK Immigration Policy Dances to a Dutch Tune: Matthew Brooker

“Indefinite leave to remain” is an odd formulation, a conjunction of opposites that sounds like a vote during the Brexit referendum to keep all options open, as one radio presenter joked last week. The UK’s term for settled status/permanent residency probably meant little to most people until recently, unless they arrived in the country on a visa or (like this columnist) have family members in that position. It’s now at the heart of a fractious immigration debate.

This year, the Labour government, the Conservative opposition and Reform UK – the anti-immigrant populist party that leads in opinion polls – have all proposed changes ...