On immigration specifically, Jonathan Portes notes that the post-Brexit migration criteria are substantially more liberal than the previous regime (as it applied to non-EU nationals) - about half of full-time jobs qualify for a visa in principle. So on the political economy front, regaining 'control' of the immigration regime proved a useful device for reducing the salience of the issue and making the system more liberal without vocal opposition.
On immigration specifically, Jonathan Portes notes that the post-Brexit migration criteria are substantially more liberal than the previous regime (as it applied to non-EU nationals) - about half of full-time jobs qualify for a visa in principle. So on the political economy front, regaining 'control' of the immigration regime proved a useful device for reducing the salience of the issue and making the system more liberal without vocal opposition.