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David Blunkett praises Michael Fallon for swamped by migrants comments David Blunkett praises Michael Fallon for ‘swamped by migrants’ comments
(about 4 hours later)
David Blunkett has praised the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, for warning that some communities in the UK are being swamped by migrants from eastern Europe.David Blunkett has praised the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, for warning that some communities in the UK are being swamped by migrants from eastern Europe.
The former Labour home secretary, who faced severe criticism when he used similar language in 2002 over the dispersal of asylum seekers in northern communities, said that Fallon had been right to voice the “concerns of ordinary voters”.The former Labour home secretary, who faced severe criticism when he used similar language in 2002 over the dispersal of asylum seekers in northern communities, said that Fallon had been right to voice the “concerns of ordinary voters”.
“For all [the] condemnation, I believe that both Michael Fallon and I were right to speak out on this issue and to voice the concerns of ordinary voters,” Blunkett wrote in a Daily Mail article. “Just because immigration is deeply controversial, that cannot mean that we should avoid talking about it.”“For all [the] condemnation, I believe that both Michael Fallon and I were right to speak out on this issue and to voice the concerns of ordinary voters,” Blunkett wrote in a Daily Mail article. “Just because immigration is deeply controversial, that cannot mean that we should avoid talking about it.”
Blunkett spoke out after the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, chastised politicians for their language on immigration. “Do I worry about the language? Yes, I do, I really do,” Welby told journalists at a Westminster lunch on Monday.Blunkett spoke out after the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, chastised politicians for their language on immigration. “Do I worry about the language? Yes, I do, I really do,” Welby told journalists at a Westminster lunch on Monday.
Welby highlighted his concerns after Fallon admitted being a “bit careless” after he claimed over the weekend that some British towns are being “swamped” by immigrants and their residents feel “under siege”. Referring to east European migrants, Fallon told the Murnaghan programme on Sky News: “In some areas of the UK, down the east coast, towns do feel under siege, [with] large numbers of migrant workers and people claiming benefits, and it’s quite right we look at that.”Welby highlighted his concerns after Fallon admitted being a “bit careless” after he claimed over the weekend that some British towns are being “swamped” by immigrants and their residents feel “under siege”. Referring to east European migrants, Fallon told the Murnaghan programme on Sky News: “In some areas of the UK, down the east coast, towns do feel under siege, [with] large numbers of migrant workers and people claiming benefits, and it’s quite right we look at that.”
Blunkett said that a failure to speak out on immigration would play into the hands of Ukip by making it a taboo subject. He wrote: “Just because immigration is deeply controversial, that cannot mean that we should avoid talking about it. There are constant complaints today that politicians are ‘out of touch’, that they refuse to listen to the electorate. There has been, mistakenly in my view, a perception that mainstream politicians have engaged in a conspiracy of silence on the immigration issue.”Blunkett said that a failure to speak out on immigration would play into the hands of Ukip by making it a taboo subject. He wrote: “Just because immigration is deeply controversial, that cannot mean that we should avoid talking about it. There are constant complaints today that politicians are ‘out of touch’, that they refuse to listen to the electorate. There has been, mistakenly in my view, a perception that mainstream politicians have engaged in a conspiracy of silence on the immigration issue.”
Blunkett added: “In facing up to the problems of particular neighbourhoods where a large number of new arrivals from overseas not only puts severe pressure on the civic infrastructure, but also challenges the ability of the local community to absorb newcomers – who often have different languages, social skills and cultures – we avoid living in a fantasy land where none of these difficulties exist. As politicians, we have a duty to address them. Our task is to find solutions, not peddle illusions … Any attempt to turn immigration into a taboo subject just plays into Ukip’s hands. The greatest antidote to the party’s bluster is frank, rational discussion, where voters are treated with maturity.” Blunkett added: “In facing up to the problems of particular neighbourhoods where a large number of new arrivals from overseas not only puts severe pressure on the civic infrastructure, but also challenges the ability of the local community to absorb newcomers – who often have different languages, social skills and cultures – we avoid living in a fantasy land where none of these difficulties exist. As politicians, we have a duty to address them. Our task is to find solutions, not peddle illusions … any attempt to turn immigration into a taboo subject just plays into Ukip’s hands. The greatest antidote to the party’s bluster is frank, rational discussion, where voters are treated with maturity.”
Blunkett feels particularly strongly about the impact of migrants from the eight eastern European countries which joined the EU in 2004. As home secretary he argued strongly for Britain to impose seven-year transitional controls on job seekers from the new member states but he was overruled by Downing Street.Blunkett feels particularly strongly about the impact of migrants from the eight eastern European countries which joined the EU in 2004. As home secretary he argued strongly for Britain to impose seven-year transitional controls on job seekers from the new member states but he was overruled by Downing Street.
He said that “norms of behaviour” should be enforced by introducing an expectation that all UK citizens are expected to speak English and people can only claim benefits on the basis of contributions they have made in Britain. Such an approach would help to confront the threat posed by Ukip which stokes people’s fears.He said that “norms of behaviour” should be enforced by introducing an expectation that all UK citizens are expected to speak English and people can only claim benefits on the basis of contributions they have made in Britain. Such an approach would help to confront the threat posed by Ukip which stokes people’s fears.
Blunkett wrote: “Ukip’s entire political stance is inflammatory, since it is based on stoking up divisions. They are the masters of scare-mongering and scapegoating.” Blunkett wrote: “Ukip’s entire political stance is inflammatory, since it is based on stoking up divisions. They are the masters of scaremongering and scapegoating.”