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Political rhetoric ignores immigration facts Political rhetoric ignores immigration facts
(6 months later)
Andrew Lansley, leader of the House of Commons and former Conservative health secretary in the coalition, has been surprisingly frank in the past about the issue that is most likely to undermine the opposition. "Immigration," he wrote in this paper in 1995, "has… potential to hurt." Last week, a leading Anglican cleric, the Bishop of Dudley, David Walker, warned in the Observer of the potentially grave consequences when immigration fears are "stoked by politicians", exaggerating the negative impact in a way that bears "little relationship to the reality". The reason why immigration has once again been pushed to the top of the agenda is, in part, Ukip's surprisingly strong showing in the Eastleigh byelection last month and the continuing popularity of Ukip leader, Nigel Farage. In addition, restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians entering the country to work are due to be lifted at the end of the year, a prospect that has raised fears about the strain that will be placed on resources.Andrew Lansley, leader of the House of Commons and former Conservative health secretary in the coalition, has been surprisingly frank in the past about the issue that is most likely to undermine the opposition. "Immigration," he wrote in this paper in 1995, "has… potential to hurt." Last week, a leading Anglican cleric, the Bishop of Dudley, David Walker, warned in the Observer of the potentially grave consequences when immigration fears are "stoked by politicians", exaggerating the negative impact in a way that bears "little relationship to the reality". The reason why immigration has once again been pushed to the top of the agenda is, in part, Ukip's surprisingly strong showing in the Eastleigh byelection last month and the continuing popularity of Ukip leader, Nigel Farage. In addition, restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians entering the country to work are due to be lifted at the end of the year, a prospect that has raised fears about the strain that will be placed on resources.
In response, all three major parties have applied themselves to flexing unnecessary muscle to those attempting to settle on these shores. Nick Clegg has rescinded an offer of an amnesty for illegal immigrants; Yvette Cooper has apologised for Labour's failure to restrict low-skilled labour from eastern Europe and proposed restrictions to welfare benefits for new European immigrants, while Ed Miliband, in December, insisted that all immigrants should learn English in a "connected society". And last week, the coalition announced a series of "crackdowns", including on "education tourists" – asking teachers to identify the children of illegal immigrants in our classrooms.In response, all three major parties have applied themselves to flexing unnecessary muscle to those attempting to settle on these shores. Nick Clegg has rescinded an offer of an amnesty for illegal immigrants; Yvette Cooper has apologised for Labour's failure to restrict low-skilled labour from eastern Europe and proposed restrictions to welfare benefits for new European immigrants, while Ed Miliband, in December, insisted that all immigrants should learn English in a "connected society". And last week, the coalition announced a series of "crackdowns", including on "education tourists" – asking teachers to identify the children of illegal immigrants in our classrooms.
A debate about what immigration is for, what size of population this island can comfortably bear and how the flow of people both in and out can best be managed to ensure fairness for all, is an essential exercise in a modern democracy. However, the prevailing discourse is proving troublingly short on facts and framed much too strongly as a paradigm in which immigrants are a drain, "leeching", as Boris Johnson has it, on limited resources.A debate about what immigration is for, what size of population this island can comfortably bear and how the flow of people both in and out can best be managed to ensure fairness for all, is an essential exercise in a modern democracy. However, the prevailing discourse is proving troublingly short on facts and framed much too strongly as a paradigm in which immigrants are a drain, "leeching", as Boris Johnson has it, on limited resources.
Twenty-First Century Populism, edited by Daniele Albertazzi and Duncan McDonnell, describes how populism appeals to voters because it "pits a virtuous and homogenous people against… dangerous 'others' who together are depicted as depriving the sovereign people of their rights, values, prosperity, identity and voice". It is a message that resonates strongly when jobs, housing and incomes are feeling the chronic impact of austerity. That should place an even greater responsibility on politicians to choose their words wisely. It is not the leafy middle-class suburbs that witness an increase in racial attacks when the political rhetoric grows more intentionally divisive. It is in deprived areas whose residents are already vulnerable, no matter how hard-working. Yet facts appear to have been in depressingly short supply over the past few months.Twenty-First Century Populism, edited by Daniele Albertazzi and Duncan McDonnell, describes how populism appeals to voters because it "pits a virtuous and homogenous people against… dangerous 'others' who together are depicted as depriving the sovereign people of their rights, values, prosperity, identity and voice". It is a message that resonates strongly when jobs, housing and incomes are feeling the chronic impact of austerity. That should place an even greater responsibility on politicians to choose their words wisely. It is not the leafy middle-class suburbs that witness an increase in racial attacks when the political rhetoric grows more intentionally divisive. It is in deprived areas whose residents are already vulnerable, no matter how hard-working. Yet facts appear to have been in depressingly short supply over the past few months.
Last Monday, for instance, David Cameron rightly spoke warmly of how immigrants have "enriched our society", before repeating his determination to reduce net immigration to under 100,000 a year (in 2012, the figure was 163,000). He raised the spectre of "…concerns deeply held, that some people might be able to come and take advantage of our generosity without making a proper contribution…" He went on to announce his intention to tighten benefit eligibility, so it is no longer "a soft touch"; stop "health tourism", curtail illegal working and advocate greater restrictions on the criteria for social housing.Last Monday, for instance, David Cameron rightly spoke warmly of how immigrants have "enriched our society", before repeating his determination to reduce net immigration to under 100,000 a year (in 2012, the figure was 163,000). He raised the spectre of "…concerns deeply held, that some people might be able to come and take advantage of our generosity without making a proper contribution…" He went on to announce his intention to tighten benefit eligibility, so it is no longer "a soft touch"; stop "health tourism", curtail illegal working and advocate greater restrictions on the criteria for social housing.
The language of hostility was further ratcheted up when Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, followed Cameron by saying immigrants had "clogged up" hospitals. The prime minister had said treating foreign nationals whose governments do not pay costs the NHS between £10m and £20m a year. Hunt estimated the cost at closer to £200m. The truth is that an accurate estimate has yet to be established. Enoch Powell, whose infamous views on immigration culminating in his 1968 "rivers of blood" speech saw him sacked from the shadow Conservative cabinet, said that when wielding immigration as a political tool, "numbers are of the essence". But honesty in their application and an awareness of research are also important. Currently, not much of either is in evidence.The language of hostility was further ratcheted up when Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, followed Cameron by saying immigrants had "clogged up" hospitals. The prime minister had said treating foreign nationals whose governments do not pay costs the NHS between £10m and £20m a year. Hunt estimated the cost at closer to £200m. The truth is that an accurate estimate has yet to be established. Enoch Powell, whose infamous views on immigration culminating in his 1968 "rivers of blood" speech saw him sacked from the shadow Conservative cabinet, said that when wielding immigration as a political tool, "numbers are of the essence". But honesty in their application and an awareness of research are also important. Currently, not much of either is in evidence.
Miliband says rightly that the ability to speak English is vital to those who plan to stay in the UK. The implication is that not enough do. Jonathan Portes, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, points out that, according to the Office for National Statistics, only 134,000 – 0.3% of the population – don't speak English at all (and won't be helped by cuts to English language courses).Miliband says rightly that the ability to speak English is vital to those who plan to stay in the UK. The implication is that not enough do. Jonathan Portes, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, points out that, according to the Office for National Statistics, only 134,000 – 0.3% of the population – don't speak English at all (and won't be helped by cuts to English language courses).
Three major studies have shown that new immigrants get jobs, contribute to the economy, pay taxes, don't use many public services and don't take jobs from natives. It's a view that László Andor, commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion at the European Commission, also endorses in the Observer today. He points out that the free movement of workers is a key part of the EU's single market. He warns: "There is a serious risk of pandering to kneejerk xenophobia. Blaming poor people or migrants for hardships at the time of economic crisis is not… intelligent politics. I think it would be more responsible to confront mistaken perceptions about immigration… and explain the facts."Three major studies have shown that new immigrants get jobs, contribute to the economy, pay taxes, don't use many public services and don't take jobs from natives. It's a view that László Andor, commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion at the European Commission, also endorses in the Observer today. He points out that the free movement of workers is a key part of the EU's single market. He warns: "There is a serious risk of pandering to kneejerk xenophobia. Blaming poor people or migrants for hardships at the time of economic crisis is not… intelligent politics. I think it would be more responsible to confront mistaken perceptions about immigration… and explain the facts."
More facts, but also a strategy on immigration that has greater coherence and efficiency is required. One that identifies barriers to integration and sets about dismantling them with alacrity. In 1997, net immigration totalled 50,000 a year, with more people leaving the country than taking up residence. In 2010, the figure for new immigrants had climbed to 255,000 that year. In addition, the UK Border Agency, soon to be axed, has for years been in a mess, leaving many immigrants in limbo and others here illegally. For some working-class communities, the change to their neighbourhoods has been significant, both positively but also negatively when cultural separatism prevails.More facts, but also a strategy on immigration that has greater coherence and efficiency is required. One that identifies barriers to integration and sets about dismantling them with alacrity. In 1997, net immigration totalled 50,000 a year, with more people leaving the country than taking up residence. In 2010, the figure for new immigrants had climbed to 255,000 that year. In addition, the UK Border Agency, soon to be axed, has for years been in a mess, leaving many immigrants in limbo and others here illegally. For some working-class communities, the change to their neighbourhoods has been significant, both positively but also negatively when cultural separatism prevails.
Focus groups for the thinktank British Future say the British seek a relationship with newcomers that is fair and tolerant, but one in which the immigrant shows his or her attachment to British culture, institutions and values. Currently, the politicians of all parties are employing damaging rhetoric that pits citizen against citizen and, in the search for votes, threatens to seriously sabotage that burgeoning social contract.Focus groups for the thinktank British Future say the British seek a relationship with newcomers that is fair and tolerant, but one in which the immigrant shows his or her attachment to British culture, institutions and values. Currently, the politicians of all parties are employing damaging rhetoric that pits citizen against citizen and, in the search for votes, threatens to seriously sabotage that burgeoning social contract.
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