Boris Johnson vows radical rehaul of Britain's immigration system

LONDON: Britain's new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on Thursday promised "a radical rewriting of the UK's immigration system" as he set out his vision for "a new golden age for Britain". "No one believes more strongly than me in the benefits of migration to our country. But I am clear that our immigration system must change," he told the House of Commons in his first speech as the PM.
"For years, politicians have promised the public an Australianstyle points-based system. And today I will actually deliver on those promises," he said. Immigrants allowed into Australia are selected on the basis of their likely contribution to society. They are required to score a certain number of points, which are awarded for factors including age, qualifications, English language skills, occupation in demand in Australia, etc.
Johnson said the Migration Advisory Committee would conduct a review of the immigration system as "the first step in a radical rewriting of our immigration system". It was unclear whether this meant Johnson was scrapping the announcements made in the white paper on post-Brexit immigration policy, which was unveiled in December by Sajid Javid who was home secretary at the time. Javid has been appointed chancellor of the exchequer in the Boris cabinet.
Johnson, who took office on Wednesday after winning a Tory leadership contest, said that it was "more than possible" that in 2050 Britain would become "the greatest and most prosperous economy in Europe at the centre of a new network of trade deals". Possibly inspired by President's Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, Johnson said the purpose of the government he was leading was to make Britain the "greatest place" on earth.
Johnson also urged the European Union to rethink its refusal to renegotiate the Brexit deal. "If they do not, we will, of course, have to leave without an agreement... Our mission is to deliver Brexit on the 31st of October."