Shifting political stances regarding immigration in the United Kingdom

摘要

In our research, we set out to examine the alteration of David Cameron’s stance on immigration.On the grounds of the rational choice theory, we state our hypothesis, that is because of the rapidadvancement of UKIP, Cameron shifts his political perspective about the issue. As UKIP has aradical standpoint on the matter and it gains considerable support, the prime minister as a rationalactor is expected to shift his view. However, through conducting a qualitative content analysis onhis four major speeches about immigration over the past parliamentary term, we learn that he hasnot substantially altered his political agenda in favor for gaining support. For this reason, weconclude that our hypothesis is disproved.