Labour's U-turn on immigration.

vivatifosi

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but other countries put an embargo on people from the former eastern bloc countries entering to work. Therefore we didn't get the population of the new states distributing themselves equally, hence the numbers being so far out. From memory, only something like three countries allowed free access to the labour market and I think the UK and Sweden(?) were two of them.

Fwiw I have a feeling Milliband has said this because in approx two weeks time the first results of the census will be released and any demographic changes will be quantified. Still, at least once that happens we'll be able to have this argument with a better understanding of the facts.

Sapphire

Why does he single out Europeans and not non-EU economic migrants? There was an absolutely massive and uncontrolled increase in the latter during labour's time in power.

The_J

His implicit reference was to "white" immigration from Eastern Europe etc. Not the open door 3rd world open policy.

Polish people are hard working and pretty well educated and don't come here for benefits. They also don't believe in a medieval religion which promotes the worst in humanity.

misskool

Sapphire wrote: »

Why does he single out Europeans and not non-EU economic migrants? There was an absolutely massive and uncontrolled increase in the latter during labour's time in power.

The current government is already clamping down heavily on non-EU migrants. New legislation in force from July require a min salary of £18600 for a single dependent and £23k for a dependent and child. The probationary period will also increase to 5 years. Loopholes for long stay have also closed, previously you could stay for 10 years legally in the country and then apply for indefinite leave but this is no longer relevant.

Non-family migration has had most of the routes closed. The thorn in the conservative's side is the question of student visas.

I do find the timing of Miliband's speech a bit strange, suppose we shall see something unraveling soon.

michaels

I guess politicians pandering to the electorate is what democracy is about but it would be nice if for once they would show leadership on what is right rather than what is popular

BobQ

Politicians find the policies on immigration difficult because of the racism endemic in parts of Britain. the worst kind are of course the closet racists who present their bile in terms of economic issues.

The previous Government had to pander to its extremist tendencies claiming their jobs and houses were being stolen. The present Government has also found immigation a difficult issue because the fanatics on the right who would have you believe that immigrants were all spongers. Its very difficult to have a sensible discussion of the policies.

abdy_2

Now that Martin has sold out (£87 million) dark forces are at work
please be aware and post on another site
They are selling your data as we speak!

BobQ

misskool wrote: »

The current government is already clamping down heavily on non-EU migrants. New legislation in force from July require a min salary of £18600 for a single dependent and £23k for a dependent and child. The probationary period will also increase to 5 years. Loopholes for long stay have also closed, previously you could stay for 10 years legally in the country and then apply for indefinite leave but this is no longer relevant.

Non-family migration has had most of the routes closed. The thorn in the conservative's side is the question of student visas.

I do find the timing of Miliband's speech a bit strange, suppose we shall see something unraveling soon.

Remind me how much net migration has fallen in the past two years as promised by Cameron as he appealed for the anti-immigrant vote?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105311/Net-migration-UK-stuck-250-000-despite-Camerons-tough-talk-slashing-numbers.html

Itismehonest

misskool wrote: »

The current government is already clamping down heavily on non-EU migrants. New legislation in force from July require a min salary of £18600 for a single dependent and £23k for a dependent and child. The probationary period will also increase to 5 years. Loopholes for long stay have also closed, previously you could stay for 10 years legally in the country and then apply for indefinite leave but this is no longer relevant.

Non-family migration has had most of the routes closed. The thorn in the conservative's side is the question of student visas.

I do find the timing of Miliband's speech a bit strange, suppose we shall see something unraveling soon.

Someone (sorry, I was only half paying attention ) on TV today said that non-EU still make up 75% of all immigrants, though.

As has been said, we can't do much about the 25% EU.
Of course, as LIR has said, when the next batch of new entries to the EU join, we don't have to be quite so open-doored, though.

We do need immigration but we desperately need a sensible system for restricting numbers to those that are here to genuinely learn or fill positions which we can't/won't whilst stopping those who come in illegally or who overstay their visas.

The law which says we have to have paperwork/proof of nationality before we can deport is seriously flawed, too.

A._Badger

michaels wrote: »

I guess politicians pandering to the electorate is what democracy is about but it would be nice if for once they would show leadership on what is right rather than what is popular

Hold on a sec. Isn't 'pandering to the electorate' the very definition of democracy?

We've had quite enough of 'leadership' from people taking us places we don't want to go, thank you.