The Big Debate on Immigration: Labour Speaks Out

Source: http://www.chuka.org.uk

Hello all! By now, most of you have probably been wondering about the radio silence on my end, for which I do apologise. I have been travelling for the past two weeks, and while I might have missed posting some of the going-ons in the world, I am back and ready to dive right into what is happening now in the debate on migration and the EU.

So let’s get to it, shall we?

At the Labour party conference held two days ago, shadow Business Secretary, MP Chuka Umunna, spoke out about his thoughts on EU migration. The MP suggested that it was perhaps time for the EU to implement some controls on the right to move between countries freely, before stating that immigration “has a hugely positive effect on our economy, our culture, our society.” Before his words could be easily construed as a hopping aboard the bandwagon effect, in terms of other parties’ views on free movement within the EU, Umunna goes on to say that while he does not have a clear-cut solution as to how to solve this growing issue within Britain, he does not believe that the right path would be “to put a gun to our European partners’ head and say do what we want otherwise are going to go off.” Instead, it seems as though someone is actually speaking out about asking for change from the EU, instead of the “all or nothing” view so many others advocate for.

Following right on the heels of the MP’s speech is an announcement from shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, that, if elected in 2015, Labour will completely scrap the Conservative’s plan to reduce net migration down to the “tens of thousands.” Cooper, who has recently been outspoken in her agreement with this idea, said during a Labour fringe meeting on immigration that this idealistic approach to reduce net migration is flawed in the way it continues to include overseas students, as net migration numbers refuse to differentiate between overseas students, asylum seekers, and low-skilled migrants.

“So rather than thinking there is one single net migration target, which has issues around emigration, has issues around all sorts of things, but also treats all kinds of immigration as the same … we should recognise that complexity and make sure you have a system which is far more sensible about the different kinds of immigration that we face and how it will work internationally, how it can be controlled and managed.”

Almost as if in response to the two announcements mentioned, however, László Andor, the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, recently said that Britain should expect to see “more migration,” from the EU as more students study abroad and the southern Eurozone will continue to send more migrant workers, adding that current levels of migration across Europe are “very modest.”

“People will not always come in such high numbers. But from the south, as long as there is a recession and high unemployment, more people will come,” said Mr Andor.

In a sort of dig at Britain’s ever-growing discontent with EU migration policies, the commissioner went on to say that the country should not even be complaining about migration as it was our previous governments who “pushed” for enlargement of EU borders.

Once again, we see a disconnect between the member states of the EU and the EU itself, but I would state that it is less that what we are used to. MP Chuka Umunna has subtly asked for change from the EU. MP Yvette Cooper stated her desire for “a European-wide migration impact fund that would provide support and services to those parts of the EU that were experiencing high levels of immigration,” indicating, perhaps, the need for more interaction and cooperation between the member-states in order to get what we all want. Progress is progress, however little it may seem at the time. This idea that all member states of the EU should pitch in to address such problems concerning migration has been brought forth by countries such as Greece, Italy, and now, the UK. So perhaps the time for greater inter-state cooperation is coming, but first the realisation from all member states must be fully alive and kicking in order to get to where we need, and want, to be.

Think I’m being too idealistic in my views? Or maybe I’m onto something here? Let me know your thoughts and opinions by emailing me at thetransitnational@gmail.com or tweet me @transitnational. The more we speak out, the greater our chance of tangible action will be.