Summary
IT'S OFFICIAL: pointing out that this country's immigration policy isn't working does not make you a racist. And what Britain needs is properly controlled immigration. It is astonishing that it has taken so long for the Prime Minister to state these principles clearly. Migrants who play by the rules are welcome, but Britain's welfare system and health service cannot be expected to cater for anyone on the planet who can afford an air fare to Heathrow. In an incisive speech today, however, Tony Blair has moved into David Blunkett's territory by making the case for controlled immigration with clarity and vision. With free movement of labour from 10 new member countries of the EU only days away, he has rightly praised the contributions of generations of previous immigrants. He also acknowledged the fact that without foreign workers, many public services would fail to function: for example, a quarter of all health professionals are overseasborn. But he has also addressed the concerns of those who fear incomers will step ahead of them in the queue for council houses or receive benefits without having paid any tax. He acknowledged the real problems of abuse of the asylum system and of immigration procedures, of the kind that led to the downfall of the Home Office minister Beverley Hughes.
Addressing some of the concerns raised by Lord Ahmed in this paper today, he also stated that there was no place in this country for those who preach hatred of British values. But it is easier to state principles than to make policy that will work as intended in the hurly-burly of the passport area, or in the benefit office. Distinguishing genuine asylum seekers from benefit tourists is not always easy. Likewise, we cannot yet tell whether Mr Blair will be able to deliver on his promise to cut back on quotas of non-skilled workers from outside the EU, in effect closing the door to unskilled North Africans and Asians in favour of migrants from the new EU member countries.See the full content of this document
Extract
A Framework for Immigration
But a Prime Minister often criticised for failing to state his basic principles has at last done so.
Diplomatic moveTODAY'S letter to the Pr...See the full content of this document
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