BRITAIN is facing a “dangerous moment” and must fix its broken borders to “hold the country together”, the new Home Secretary today warns.
Shabana Mahmood said failing to stop the boats is not an option because the Far Right is “on the march” again.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned Britain is at a “dangerous moment” with the Far Right on the march again[/caption]
In her first big interview since being made Home Secretary, she vowed to cut legal and illegal migration.
She said: “Securing the border is fundamental to holding the country together.
“I know if I’m not able to get this mess sorted out then there will be more division in our country.
“The Far Right is on the rise. They are on the march and they are on the rise – and I think that’s a dangerous moment for the country.
“I have no choice but to deliver, because the price of not delivering here is something much worse for the country that I love.”
Migrants board an inflatable boat during an attempt to cross the English Channel, off the beach of Gravelines, northern France[/caption]
Ms Mahmood – nicknamed The Terminator for her ultra tough approach – sat down with The Sun on Sunday on the eve of Labour Party conference, which kicks off in Liverpool.
The Home Sec outlined her vision for restoring order and confidence in our borders.
She wants to bring in new laws so migrants must prove their social worth before they are given settled status in Britain – known as Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Foreigners will have to show they are integrated and make a “contribution to the local community” – and not just that they have a job and can afford to live here.
This can include volunteering for a charity, or being a school governor.
HOME Secretary Shabana Mahmood has told of her “love” of the British flag as she urged town halls to proudly fly it.
But she warned that some racists are abusing the union flag to promote nationalism – not patriotism.
And she also told of the vile racist abuse she has received since becoming Britain’s first Muslim Home Secretary.
Ms Mahmood told The Sun on Sunday: “ I love the St George’s flag and I love the Union Jack.
“They are flags that I see myself reflected in.
“And where our flags are being used as a symbol of unity I’m all for it. I would like to see more of our flags actually on our civic institutions.”
But she warned: “I think the thing that we have to be careful about is the motives of some – not all – but some of the people that are putting up the flags.
“They are speaking to nationalism. And I’m a patriot, not a nationalist.
“In my vision of patriotism, you can be English in this country and have 1,000 years of history here, or you can be English and look like me.
“And no one, not Tommy Robinson or anybody else can take my English identity away from me.”
Hitting back at racists who have attacked her because of her religion, Ms Mahmood added: “I know who I am. I know I’m a Brummie. I know I’m English, and I know I’m British.
“I also know I’m a Muslim – that is the calling of my conscience.
“I’ve never felt a conflict between the different parts of my identity.
“And I’m not going to let some racist make me feel less good about who I am and my place of belonging in my own land.
“This land is my land too. I belong here and as I say, No one can take that away from me.
“So they can say what they like, really, fine. This land is my land, and I love my country, and I’m here.”
On illegal migration, she has ordered reviews in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Modern Slavery Act.
These laws have been used by migrants for “vexatious” claims that thwart their deportations, the Home Sec said.
Over 30,000 small boat migrants have arrived in Britain in 2025 in what is set to be a record number for illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, a staggering 750,000 people moved to the UK in the year ending June 2024.
This is the equivalent of a city the size of Leeds being added to the population.
Meet Shabana Mahmood: The Home Secretary dubbed ‘The Terminator’ who loves Taylor Swift and binges on Married At First Sight
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood answered The Sun on Sunday’s quickfire quiz:
Q: The last thing you listened to?
A: Florence and the Machine at the moment. And Taylor Swift basically on repeat.
Q: Who are your political heroes ?
A: I have two women who I look up to for their strength and their steel, and that’s Benazir Bhutto and Margaret Thatcher.
Q: The last thing you watched on telly?
A: King and Conqueror.
Q: Your Guilty pleasure?
A: Crap telly – Married at First Sight. Or any kind of property porn.
Q: What is great about Great Britain?
A slightly nerdy answer – but English common law. Also Cadbury’s whole nut.
