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UK told not to fear immigration | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission says the UK must not "cower in fear and fret" about admitting "clever foreigners". | |
Trevor Phillips was delivering a speech to mark the 40th anniversary of Enoch Powell's "rivers of blood" speech. | |
He said the public must not "confuse immigration and terrorism" and called for a new debate because of âcreeping resentment" towards immigration. | |
The government says new measures will ensure Britain has tougher controls. | The government says new measures will ensure Britain has tougher controls. |
Mr Phillips delivered his speech at the Midland Hotel, which is the same Birmingham hotel where Mr Powell sparked a major public debate in 1968. | |
The then shadow frontbencher warned of social tensions in pockets of Britain - such as Wolverhampton - if mass immigration continued. | The then shadow frontbencher warned of social tensions in pockets of Britain - such as Wolverhampton - if mass immigration continued. |
He compared racial tensions in the United States to the Roman poet Virgil's description of "the River Tiber foaming with much blood" and said anti-discrimination laws were like "throwing a match on to gunpowder". | He compared racial tensions in the United States to the Roman poet Virgil's description of "the River Tiber foaming with much blood" and said anti-discrimination laws were like "throwing a match on to gunpowder". |
While we cower in fear and fret about whether to admit clever foreigners from other nations - America, Australia and Canada are already sailing on that tide of talent Trevor Phillips Powell's 'rivers of blood' legacy | |
Mr Phillips said it was time for another examination of the issues surrounding immigration to ensure Britain kept up with a "tide of talent" that was available from around the world. | |
He said: "Whatever we feel about immigrants, immigration is part of our future. | |
"The real question will be whether we can, as a modern economy, seize the restless tide of talent that is currently sweeping across the globe. So far we are lagging behind our competitors. | |
"But while we cower in fear and fret about whether to admit clever foreigners from other nations - America, Australia and Canada are already sailing on that tide of talent. | |
"There is creeping resentment in all directions which can only be halted by policy of manifest fairness. | |
"I believe that the more we talk about immigration the better. Many think that this is not the time or the place for this debate. I understand their anxieties. | |
"If we cannot talk about it now, then when?" | |
'Hearts and minds' | |
During his speech Mr Phillips was asked questions from the crowd of about 200 people, including a query on the issue of terrorism. | |
He said: "Let's not confuse immigration and terrorism. | |
"Very few terrorist incidents are what I would describe as immigrants. One of the shocks we had from 7/7 is that this is home-grown. | |
"We can do a lot more to ensure that the ground is not fertile for those who want to win the hearts and minds of young people. | |
Like the Roman, I seem to see the river Tiber foaming with much blood Enoch Powell 1968: Powell slates immigration | |
"We have to convince all young people that this is a fair country that will give them a fair chance." | |
Mr Phillips also later told the BBC that the UK had to take steps to encourage "talented" immigrants to come to this country. | |
He said: "We need to make sure that we are a country that's attractive to those immigrants, and that also we can integrate them or give them a place in an integrated society. | |
"We need a policy of managed migration but we also need a policy of active integration to make sure that we can get the best of immigration but also minimise the costs of it." | |
Immigration minister Liam Byrne said that the British public was "right to demand changes to Britain's immigration system". | Immigration minister Liam Byrne said that the British public was "right to demand changes to Britain's immigration system". |
He added: "That is why 2008 sees the biggest changes for 45 years including a points system like the one in Australia, a single border force, compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals and the reintroduction for a system to count people in and out of Britain so we know precisely who is here." | He added: "That is why 2008 sees the biggest changes for 45 years including a points system like the one in Australia, a single border force, compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals and the reintroduction for a system to count people in and out of Britain so we know precisely who is here." |
Shadow home secretary David Davis said Mr Phillips was raising "a brave and timely warning" about losing control of immigration. | Shadow home secretary David Davis said Mr Phillips was raising "a brave and timely warning" about losing control of immigration. |
"Whilst managed immigration is for the benefit of the country, uncontrolled immigration can lead to serious problems for the whole nation," he said. | "Whilst managed immigration is for the benefit of the country, uncontrolled immigration can lead to serious problems for the whole nation," he said. |
A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said policy changes would ensure Britain had "one of the toughest borders in the world". | A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said policy changes would ensure Britain had "one of the toughest borders in the world". |
"Understanding the impacts of migration on communities and public services is essential, which is why the Migration Impacts Forum (MIF) was set up," she added. | "Understanding the impacts of migration on communities and public services is essential, which is why the Migration Impacts Forum (MIF) was set up," she added. |
"We need to strike a balance in Britain's migration policy, weighing the economic benefits with frontline feedback about wider impacts." | "We need to strike a balance in Britain's migration policy, weighing the economic benefits with frontline feedback about wider impacts." |