The little European country showing Keir Starmer how you can get tough on migration

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Image: Getty)

Denmark, long regarded as a liberal welfare state, has quietly become Europe’s unlikely pioneer in tough immigration policy — and it’s doing so from the centre-left. Under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the Social Democratic government has implemented some of the strictest immigration controls in Europe, dramatically cutting asylum applications to their lowest levels in 15 years.

Ms Frederiksen told BBC News in April: "We want a sustainable immigration system that ensures integration works, social cohesion remains intact, and the welfare state is preserved." This approach is not just about numbers. Political analyst Michelle Pace, speaking in the same month, said that "the legal goalposts keep moving to reduce incentives for asylum seekers." Professor Timothy Garton Ash said: "Frederiksen is in a favourable geographical position that allows her to pursue a tough immigration policy without the extreme backlash seen elsewhere."

Keir Starmer quizzed on immigration policy by Peston

Meanwhile Alberto Horst Neidhardt, senior analyst at the European Policy Centre, added: "They’ve changed the conversation so radically that it will be very difficult to reverse."

The Danish strategy combines legal reforms, increased border controls, and policies aimed at deterring asylum seekers, such as moving asylum centres outside of Denmark’s territory.

Susi Dennison, director of the Europe programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said: "The goal has been to reduce all incentives to come to Denmark, including cutting welfare benefits for asylum seekers."

These measures have yielded stark results. Denmark received roughly 3,600 asylum applications in 2023 — down from more than 21,000 in 2015.

Sir Keir Starmer and Mette Frederiksen outside Number 10 (Image: Getty)

The shift marks a profound realignment of the Social Democrats, once champions of liberal immigration policies. It reflects a pragmatic response to political pressure and public concern.

This consensus on low immigration cuts across Denmark’s political spectrum, creating a rare degree of stability on an issue that fractures many European countries.

Denmark’s blunt approach has not triggered major political upheaval, even as asylum claims dropped by nearly 90%.

Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek told The Sun recently: "We want to avoid too much immigration, because it can create divisions and resentment."

Copenhagen, Denmark's capital (Image: Getty)

He warned that failing to address public concerns risks undermining support for integration policies: "If people think too many refugees or immigrants are coming, then you lose support for helping them."

Mr Dybvad Bek also criticised other European centre-left parties for publicly condemning Denmark’s policies while quietly adopting similar measures at home.

Denmark’s experience also poses a conundrum for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who addressed the subject himself recently during a press conference at Downing Street.

He told reporters: "Let me put it this way, nations depend on rules, fair rules. Sometimes they are written down, often they are not, but either way, they give shape to our values, guide us towards our rights, of course, but also our responsibilities, the obligations we owe to each other.

"In a diverse nation like ours … we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together."

In stark contrast, 1,194 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in 18 boats last Saturday - the highest number recorded on a single day so far this year.

It brings the annual total so far to 14,811, up 42% on this time last year.

Labour has pledged to tighten immigration controls as part of its broader crime crackdown, including the "Smash the Gangs" initiative aimed at tackling organised crime and illegal immigration.

The party has proposed stronger border security measures and stricter asylum rules to reduce the number of arrivals.

However, critics argue Labour’s stance remains cautious compared to Denmark’s hardline approach, reflecting a balancing act between immigration control and humanitarian commitments.