At least, that's the impression you get in a 26 June New York Times editorial entitled 'A way forward on immigration'. Highlights:
-- at a meeting with Pres. Obama last Thursday, congressmen of both main parties seemed to be in favour of a comprehensive reform bill to go through this year;
-- "It seems, at last, that Congress can reach solid agreement that immigration will not be fixed through enforcement and expulsion alone";
-- "Illegal immigration is wrong. The borders and workplace need tighter enforcement. Illegal immigrants must be required to register, learn English and pay taxes — or face deportation. But they should also be allowed to seek citizenship. The path back to a lawful system is through legalization and an improved, well-managed immigration flow. Polls show that an overwhelming majority of Americans accept these principles, and it’s possible to imagine Congress uniting around them, too."
-- There is a vigorous debate about future immigration flows. But at least it's a real debate, and not the "phony" one which the New York Times describes as turning on "the delusional belief that the mass deportations of 12 million people are realistic or desirable."
If only our press and politicians were capable of this sort of high-minded pragmatism. Instead Labour Party seems determined to see off the BNP by introducing a sort of "British housing for British (white) people" new principle.
It's downhill from here until the general election.
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Dear SiC
ReplyDeleteTo hear the idea starting to attract some high profile people and make those who were initially against it think about it as a pragmatic solution is great really.I have the impression that with some key members like The Mayor of London, the new Speaker as well as some MPs like the new home secretary Alan Johnson etc, it is very much doable. However I was wondering perhaps it could be done by the Labour if they had more than 11 months until the general election. My question is how do you see the future of this movement? Do you think Labour might be too afraid to do it in the wake of general election to avoid potential critisism? How do you think the outcome of the election will affect this if it was not carried out before then? Is it a bad sign in case of a Tory government? Or it can be achieved you think even then?
Thank you.
Austen replies:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the question. I am convinced Labour will not do it: they have too much invested in trying to be tougher than the Right. Expect Johnson to disown his previous support. This Government are sending all kinds of messages to the electorate -- British jobs for British workers, social housing for "local" (=white) people -- to draw them away from the BNP. Labour is scared of being seen as soft.
It will not be carried out before the next election (expected May 2010). There is a good chance it could be done afterwards, by a Conservative government which will seek to portray it as a border-tightening measure designed to deal with the legacy of Labour "losing control of the borders". It will help that by then the Obama government in the US will have outlined its own, similar initiative.
We have won the argument. But selling the idea politically is the tough part. Boris is preparing the ground. We are confident.
Thank a lot Austen.
ReplyDeleteI've seen you are doing great job. I read LSE report which proved the point. I heard David Cameron distances himself from amnesty. Why do you think Tory will support amnesty? Next general election won already by Conservatives. They always been tough on immigration so I think it will be a miracle If David Cameron will change his opinion. It will go against core Conservatives values I think. If Lib-Dem win next election(very very very unlikely) then i would say we have better chance for earned amnesty. Lets hope that I'm wrong. I understand why Boris supports amnesty because its like 4% of London votes at stake from political point of view.He won my vote already.
Thank you
Think I might have the answer for this:
ReplyDeleteTories oppose immigration as a whole but if they are to win the election(which I beleive they have already) they see themselves obliged to some sort of immigration reform as it has always been an issue to pick on Labour. To do that they'll probably first fix pieces of immigration law which they believe is in need of attention and then they will need to sort the situation of those here already. Now if they decide to remove them all it'll take 34yrs accordig to LSE report which means Tory fails to sort the immigration too. Therefore I believe there's a good chance they opt for a regularisation. In a sense it is easier for Tories to do it because they claim they're dealing with the mess left over by Labour so that they don't get the blame whereas if Labour wants to do it they'll come under much heavier fire. But still,I have to agree with you that the Lib Dems are the best ones even though they're probably not going to win it.
yes,Mr boris johnson has won my vote and his view are the only practical to sort out the problem.I believe david cameroon will accept the fact when he finally get into that position like boris johnson did after becoming mayor of london
ReplyDelete