Immigration can be a real benefit to the UK, but only if it is properly controlled with its impact on the economy, public services and social cohesion taken into account. We would set an annual limit on the number of economic migrants who come here from outside the EU, so that we admit both the right people for our economy and also the right number of people to reduce the strains on our public services.
Enforcing such controls, and preventing illegal immigration, requires a proper Border Police Force, equipped with powers to track down immigrants who overstay or illegally enter the country. Gordon Brown’s proposal for a new Border Agency is more about spin than securing our borders - his Agency will not even include the police. A Conservative Government will introduce a dedicated Border Police Force with real powers to protect our borders. Our force will include the police, with officers having powers to stop, search, detain and prosecute.
We will also put transitional controls on all new EU entrants. It is a matter of huge concern that Labour failed to apply such controls for the eight countries that acceded prior to Romania and Bulgaria. Transitional controls should be applied here as they are in other European countries. |
