Project Background:
Earlier this year, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, defended his socialist government's model for migration, asserting that it could be applied to, and benefit, the rest of Europe (La Moncloa, 2026). At the same time, UK politics is becoming increasingly polarised, with fears over migration fuelling the rise of the far-right.
Policy analysis is abundant, however there is a greater gap in comparative literature in this area. My research therefore will assess whether there is any truth to Sánchez's statement: can the current UK government learn anything from Spain's immigration policy?
I also believe deeply in the value of compassionate policy, especially in an age where migrants are so frequently villainised. Therefore, I will focus particularly closely on the balance of efficacy and ethics within these countries' immigration policies.
Research Questions:
How well does Spanish immigration policy balance efficacy and ethics?
How well does UK immigration policy balance efficacy and ethics?
How could we learn from Spanish policy in order to strengthen our own?
Methodology:
I will carry out desk-based research, examining academic literature, policy reports and government documents. This will ultimately inform a comparison of UK and Spanish immigration policy, in line with my research questions.
Objectives:
With the support of my supervisor, Professor Thom Brooks, we hope to submit my findings to the home secretary and migration minister for consideration.
(La Moncloa, [2026]. Discurso del presidente del Gobierno en la Conferencia de Embajadores y Embajadoras. Available at: https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/presidente/intervenciones/Paginas/2026/20260108-discurso-pg-conferencia-embajadores.aspx )