Every government needs an immigration policy and the one led by Sir Keir Starmer is no exception. Laws are required to establish the terms under which migration to the UK is allowed, and to deal with the complexities surrounding irregular arrivals. But the decision to publish an immigration white paper a week after Reform UK made significant gains in local elections, when it is riding high in national polls, is hard to defend. Rather than defusing public concerns, the prime minister risks playing into the hard right’s hands – and undermining the community cohesion he says he wants to protect.
Ah, that fictional ‘hard right’ again. Are they in the room with us now, ‘Guardian’ editorial writer?
Some of the proposed measures are reasonable. Others are not. Visa rules are complicated and ministers have identified real concerns about the way the system works. But the timing and language, particularly the prime minister’s references to an “island of strangers” and forces “pulling our country apart”, were awful choices. The danger is that such rhetoric ends up reinforcing divisions and xenophobia.
Actually, I think it’s the actions of the immigrant community that’s reinforcing that.
The pledge to deport more foreign criminals smacks of tabloid politics.
Because we all want foreign criminals to stay here for…reasons, I guess.
Granting counter-terrorism-style powers to the Border Force risks stoking, not easing, fear.
I don’t think anyone expects them to use them, since they struggle to use the ones they currently have properly…
Sir Keir’s anger about the Tories’ track record is justified. It harms democracy, and helps opportunists like Nigel Farage, when parties tell voters one thing while doing another. But past mistakes do not justify present ones. Migrants have been and will remain a vital part of the UK’s labour force and student bodies. The government and its MPs must highlight these positives clearly and loudly.
Highlight the positives as much as you want, the negatives are all around us and speaking much, much louder.
6 comments:
"Laws are required to establish the terms under which migration to the UK is allowed..."
If such laws are required then enforcing them is required as well. It is the lack of enforcement and the authorities just allowing, even encouraging, invaders to ignore them that is the problem.
Parties telling voters one thing while doing another is what harms democracy. Where is the point of political parties having a manifesto if it consists entirely of lies?
Stonyground.
I emigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago. To be accepted, I had to prove that I was fit and well ,could support myself financially and be of good character and without a criminal past. I see no reason why the UK should not have the same restrictions on those wishing to enter and settle.
I think that only when the Guardian scribes and their readers are directly affected by an attack or other inconvenience will they rethink their stupid blindness to the dire effects on normal people.
Longrider has a recent post about this subject.
Stonyground.
Correct - so many politicians confuse announcing something with action
But even then, they won't understand the reason why...
Yrs, a good one
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