Howard launches plans for 'controlled' immigration

Conservative leader, Michael Howard, has launched his party's controversial immigration policy, with plans to limit the amount of asylum seekers coming into Britain.

The Conservatives policy includes plans to set an annual limit to immigration, including a quota for asylum seekers. The policy also lays out plans to introduce an Australian-style points system for work permits; the introduction of 24 hour security at ports to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country; and a clampdown on immigration rules to stop the practise of 'bogus marriages'.

Commenting on the plans, Mr Howard said: "Taken together our proposals will lead to a substantial reduction in the number of people settling in the UK. They will ensure that Britain moves forward as a confident, diverse yet united society. And they will create a fairer, more humane asylum system."

The Conservative leader hit back at criticisms of the policy, that have labelled the plans as racist and dangerous. He said: "The day I was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 2003, I promised not to duck the problems that Britain faces – that if something was true but tough, I wouldn't shrink from it. I come from an immigrant family. I understand that firm but fair immigration controls are essential for good community relations – as do the hundreds of thousands of other British families from immigrant backgrounds."

Mr Howard drew attention to the results of the government's Community Cohesion Panel, which was set up after the riots in Bradford. He said: "It concluded last July that "inward immigration does create tensions… communities will perceive that newcomers are in competition for scarce resources and public services. The pressure on resources… is often intense and local services are often insufficient to meet the needs of the existing community, let alone newcomers"."

Mr Howard added: "So it's not racist, as some people claim, to talk about controlling immigration – far from it. It is plain common sense – a vastly under-rated value in British politics today. But a value held by the majority of people – a majority forgotten by Mr Blair."

The party leader concluded: "Mr Blair believes that immigration can continue unlimited. To quote Labour's policy there "is no obvious upper limit to immigration". So people will face a clear choice at the next election: unlimited immigration under Mr Blair or limited, controlled immigration with the Conservatives."

(KMcA/SP)