Immigration; The Need For Debate

It looks as if immigration is once again at the forefront in the political landscape. What with Gordon Brown wanting "British Jobs For British People", David Cameron calling for lower migration into Britain, and Nigel Hastilow the Conservative Party Candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis resigning over comments made regarding Enoch Powell's River of Blood Speech.

With the population continually rising - up by 4.4 million by 2016 according to new projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) many people are beginning to wonder if this country can handle the influx of migrants arriving daily. Of the new 4.4 million a total of 2.1 million (that's 48%) are from migration. Unofficial estimates will put this proportion at even higher levels, what with illegal immigrants etc...

So, what is the problem? Under the EU there is a freedom of movement between member states. This allows people from Poland and other Eastern European Countries to move to the UK and get a job. Conversely it allows British citizens to migrate and work in any EU country. This is, I believe a good thing. As a conservative I believe in free trade, equality of opportunity and the freedom for people to live/work where they want. migrant workers do, undoubtedly help our economy. They do jobs that most British people turn their noses up at. They have a good work ethic.

However, and there is a big however, I do understand that immigration causes problems too. There are those who don't work, that sponge off our welfare system. Those who commit crime, only to be let of so lightly that they will just go out and re-offend. People who do this, should not be able to get away with it with the impunity that they can currently do so. Rather than serve their jail sentence in our prisons, they should be deported back to their country of origin to serve it their, and be refused admission for permanent residence again. They should not be entitled to welfare benefits. If they want to come and work in our country then they should either have a job lined up before they emigrate, or be able to support themselves until they do. Once here, I feel that after a year of paying National Insurance Contributions then they should be able to have the protection from the state that is automatically afforded to nationals. We should also have stricter controls over non-EU immigration, operating on a points and quota system similar to New Zealand and Australia.

I believe with measures such as these in place immigration won't be a problem to this country, but a vital and wonderful boost to our economy. Once which will see new people be able to experience what is so loved about us, whilst at the same time helping to contribute to it themselves.