Jacob Rees-Mogg Advocates for Trump-Style Immigration Policies in Leaked Recording

Prominent Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump after remarks in a leaked recording published by The Guardian on Tuesday. Addressing young Tory activists in March before a pub crawl, Rees-Mogg expressed admiration for Trump's hardline immigration stance, suggesting the UK should adopt a similar approach.

"If I were American I’d want the border closed, I’d be all in favor of building a wall. I’d want to build a wall in the middle of the English Channel," Rees-Mogg said. He went on to endorse Trump's potential return to the White House, criticizing current President Joe Biden for his perceived antagonism towards Britain and questioning Biden's mental fitness.

During his presidency, Trump famously promoted the "Build The Wall" slogan to curb illegal immigration from Mexico, constructing 452 miles of the border wall, though only 80 miles were new barriers. The slogan became a symbol of his stringent immigration policies.

In the UK, immigration remains a contentious issue, with the Conservative Party using it as a key differentiator from Labour in the ongoing election campaign. The Tories have proposed controversial measures such as sending asylum-seekers to Rwanda, a plan strongly opposed by Labour. The Conservatives' social media campaign on X (formerly Twitter) has claimed that Labour's policies would attract more asylum-seekers to the UK.

Labour has countered by proposing to redirect funds from the Rwanda scheme to establish a Border Security Command aimed at prosecuting human traffickers and enhancing security cooperation with the European Union.

Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, is seeking reelection in the newly established constituency of North East Somerset and Hanham. He faces significant competition from Labour's Dan Norris, the current mayor of the West of England. Known for his traditionalist views and often referred to as the "honorable member for the 18th century" due to his posh demeanor and adherence to parliamentary traditions, Rees-Mogg has been a Conservative MP since 2010.

In a memorable moment in 2012, he used the word "floccinaucinihilipilification" in the Commons chamber, marking the longest word ever recorded in parliamentary proceedings.

Why This Matters: Jacob Rees-Mogg's remarks underscore the ongoing influence of Donald Trump's immigration policies on international conservative politics. His comments also highlight the persistent and polarizing debate over immigration in the UK, which remains a critical issue in the current political landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Jacob Rees-Mogg praised Donald Trump's immigration policies, suggesting a wall in the English Channel.
• He expressed support for Trump’s potential return to the White House and criticized President Joe Biden.
• Immigration remains a central issue in the Conservative Party’s election strategy.
• Labour opposes the Tories' plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda, proposing enhanced border security instead.
• Rees-Mogg is facing a strong challenge from Labour’s Dan Norris in his new constituency.