London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly criticised Shabana Mahmood’s proposed immigration reforms, expressing concerns about the retrospective nature of the changes. Khan argued that altering rules to affect migrants who had formed expectations under previous regulations could be unfair.

Mahmood’s reforms aim to revise certain aspects of the immigration system, though details remain under discussion. Khan emphasised the importance of an immigration policy that he described as “compassionate,” prioritising the treatment and rights of migrants.

The debate has sparked broader discussion within the Labour Party and beyond over the balance between fairness to migrants and the need for legal consistency. Critics like Dr. Peter Outen of Brentwood, Essex, have challenged the approach, highlighting what they see as an inconsistency in the party's stance on retrospective changes. Outen pointed out that while Khan opposes altering immigration rules retrospectively, Labour has supported retrospective changes in other areas, such as political donations and pension policy.

This conflict reflects wider tensions within the party regarding how best to manage migration policy while maintaining trust and clarity for all affected parties. As the Labour Party continues to evaluate these reforms, the differing perspectives on retrospective legislation and compassion in immigration policy are likely to remain key points of contention.