A recent report on immigration during
Labour's thirteen years in power
is a stark reminder of a pre-determined
situation, which is beyond control.
More migrants have arrived here
in the UK since 2004 than during
the entire preceding period following
the Norman Conquest. The impact on
the social fabric and infrastructure
of our country has been profound.
Notwithstanding the debatable
benefit of marginally higher GDP, the
effects of such a massive inflow can
be seen in the NHS, housing and
education, where scarce resources are
being stretched to breaking point.
We are where we are but should remind
ourselves how this situation has arisen.
The continuing assertion that, when in office,
Labour acted in good faith in not properly
assessing the impact of immigration and
of integration is contradicted by the facts.
A publication of 2000, obtained under the
Freedom of information Act, contained a
secret Cabinet Office report. This
characterised Labour's open-door
immigration policy as a deliberate attempt
to rub the Right's nose in cultural diversity.
In this, Labour has clearly succeeded.
Its aim was to expand the Party's
support among the immigrant population,
where, according to Chris Mullen in his book
A View from the Foothills, 80% vote Labour.
Current projections are that by 2026 immigration
will add to England's population about the
equivalent of seven cities the size of Birmingham,
changing the nature of the British identity.
Research shows that in Manchester no fewer
than 151 languages are spoken. It indicates
rapidly growing immigrant numbers, accompanied by
white flight. The dynamic is one of accelerating
cultural change which is transforming
urban connurbations throughout the UK.
As we approach the general election, what is
strange is that while immigration, together with
the NHS, is at the top of voters' concerns, EU
membership which has driven immigration, is
not.
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