Overview

• Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, stated that the UK needs a stronger work ethic to compete globally, citing 9 million working-age adults not in employment.
• Opposition parties criticized Philp's remarks, pointing to his role in Liz Truss's mini-budget, which was widely blamed for economic turmoil in 2022.
• Labour and the Liberal Democrats accused Philp of shifting blame for the UK's economic struggles onto the public, labeling his comments as out of touch.
• Philp acknowledged mistakes in Conservative immigration policies under previous governments, admitting that high immigration numbers were not adequately controlled.
• The controversy underscores broader tensions within the Conservative Party regarding economic and immigration policy under Kemi Badenoch's leadership.