OPINION
Nigel Farage's party is embroiled in an escalating war of personalities, (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Reform UK needs to flesh out policy, at least according to ousted MP Rupert Lowe. This is despite recent announcements on energy among other things. Reform is especially associated with immigration, a subject which became a particular flashpoint between Lowe and leader Nigel Farage. Yet only recently the latter said migrant workers — especially in care — should only be employed on a "time-specific work permit".
Reform could potentially roll this out to migrants across multiple sectors. Indeed, where I currently live in Singapore, the country's immigration is carefully managed through such a system. Most people come into Singapore via time-specific and condition-renewable passes. Getting residency — let alone citizenship — is very tough, and factors in not only income but race, gender and age to maintain social balance (the kind of factors the British Government would not dream of considering).
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The UK wouldn't have to employ criteria that some may find distasteful to consider a Singapore-style work permit system, which would balance the needs of the economy with guarding against open door immigration. A sensible policy, it could satisfy the needs of the labour market but prevent the problems associated with mass immigration without integration.
Reform UK could consider this policy as a way to address critics on all sides, citing other countries — like Singapore — as an example of its workability. No doubt Reform needs to get back on track after its recent public spat. Eye-catching, sensible and thoughtful policies - especially with by-elections on the horizon - could do just that.