Candidates in immigration pledge

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Candidates in Wolverhampton South West say immigration is one of the big issues for their parties.

Tory candidate Paul Uppal said they would reduce immigration levels, while Labour's Rob Marris said migration from within the EU needed reviewing.

Liberal Democrat Robin Lawrence said immigrants coming to the UK would have to prove their doing so was justified.

The seat was once held by Enoch Powell, whose 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech attacked a policy of mass immigration.

'Point numbers'

Mr Lawrence said fairness was at the heart of Liberal Democrat policy.

He said: "Immigrants who come into the country have to demonstrate they have a sponsor, have to demonstrate there is a job and clearly have to demonstrate their job is needed in that particular area."

Mr Marris said a large proportion of immigrants to the UK came from other EU member states and contributed greatly to the country.

But he added: "We cannot have a sensible political debate about immigration policy in the UK unless we are prepared to to revisit the issue of free movement in the EU."

Mr Uppal said immigration would be reduced by the Tories to the levels of the 1980s and 90s as current levels were putting a strain on public services.

"When I'm speaking to residents and people out and about in the street, especially people living towards the centre of the city, it's an issue that really is a huge priority," he said.

Candidates for the three main parties in Wolverhampton South West

A spokesman for UK Independence Party candidate Amanda Mobberley said Britain had first to regain control of its borders from the EU.

"We would impose a five-year pause on all immigration then we would have a points system. If people have the right number of points or jobs to offer then they are very welcome," he said.

Equal Parenting Alliance candidate Ray Barry said immigration had become a "political football" yet closer examination showed the effects on unemployment had been misrepresented.

"So much long-term unemployment traces back to people losing touch with their children. There's a strong correlation between it and people being alienated from their kids, which drains the heart out of them," he said.

The candidates announced for Wolverhampton South West are: Equal Parenting Alliance: Raymond Barry; Liberal Democrat: Robin Lawrence; Labour: Rob Marris; UK Independence Party: Amanda Mobberley; Conservative: Paul Uppal.