Howard calls for annual immigration quota

The Tory leader has called for an annual quota on the number of foreigners allowed to settle in the UK and the withdrawal from the international convention on refugees.

In a keynote speech in London today, Michael Howard said that immigration has strengthened the UK in the past, but "the breakdown of controls and an increasingly chaotic and unfair system now undermines national security, jeopardises the management of the public services, and threatens to wreck good race relations".

While migration in both directions is part of a competitive and dynamic modern economy, immigration cannot continue at its present, uncontrolled levels, an audience of prospective Westminster candidates were told.

The limit would be determined by economic need, family reunion, and moral obligation to genuine refugees, he said.

Mr Howard went on to pledge that a future Conservative government would reintroduce embarkations controls and take "tough action" against firms which employ people illegally; and would introduce an annual limit to immigration, with Parliament setting a maximum limit on numbers coming to the UK.

A Conservative-run Britain would also withdraw from the "outmoded" 1951 Refugee Convention and enter reservations against the European Convention on Human Rights, replacing them with British laws allowing asylum cases to be decided more swiftly, the Folkestone and Blythe MP added.

"Britain has reached a turning point. As a country we need a totally new approach to immigration and asylum. We need a system that helps genuine refugees and gives priority to those who want to come to Britain, work hard and make a positive contribution," he said.

Lib Dems hit out at the Tory plans saying the move would "fly against the principle of welcoming people fleeing persecution".

Speaking at the party's conference in Bournemouth, Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten said: "Michael Howard's approach is all about limiting not welcoming. The Liberal Democrats will make the positive case on immigration by setting quotas linked to the economic case. Mr Howard wants quotas as a way of capping immigration.

He added: "While we have to be tough on those who abuse the system, setting arbitrary quotas on the numbers of refugees would seriously jeopardise our international obligations."

(gmcg/mb)