Fair enough …it takes a brave man to admit his mistakes, and all that. David Blunkett – the former Labour Home Secretary who actually introduced the idea of identity cards – now realises that the idea was big-brother-gone-mad and that compulsory ID cards for everyone is not the way to go. Just give them to foreigners, he says now. He’s also not convinced that the current minister, Jacqui ‘where do I live?’ Smith, has the right idea with her giant central database to snoop on people’s phone calls, texts and web surfing habits… (but presumably not their dubious living arrangements and expense claims?). Quote: “If we tolerate the intolerable, the intolerable gradually becomes the norm”.
Like politicians you mean, David? We agree.
More than 150,000 foreigners from outside the EU were allowed to work in the UK last year, a figure almost four times higher than when Labour were elected in 1997. Some 151,635 work permit applications were granted between December 2007 and November last year.
This is a 17% increase on the 140,600 issued in 2007, and almost a four-fold rise on the 42,800 approved in 1997. More than one in four migrants with work permits were allowed to stay for up to five years, although 40% were for less than a year. Applications were approved for migrants wanting towork & live in the UK or extensions for those already working here.
Tory leader David Cameron said in a recent television interview: “I think it was very important to make it clear that we believe in a multiracial Britain. We believe it’s a success. We think immigration has been good for Britain in the past. We think immigration will continue, but not any immigration, not all immigration, it needs to be controlled.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “More than 90% of people working in this country are UK citizens and their rate of employment has remained stable.” “But when it comes to immigration, in difficult economic times we need a tough system. That’s why we’re using the flexibility that the new Points Based System allows to force employers to offer British jobs through Job Centre plus before recruiting foreign workers. And we’re working together to get people the skills needed for these jobs to boost their chances even further.”
Yes, of course you are… that’s why workers had to strike at Total Oil in the north-east last week.
We liked this – Miliband does look a little strange, even robotic at times.
Do we see him as PM? The British Citizen says ‘no’, but he’s a better option for ordinary folk than the Toff!
From anorak.co.uk:
DAVID Miliband would be Labour Leader. David Miliband would be leader of the Opposition (surely Prime Minister? -Ed)
David Miliband is for Change, just like Barack Obama. You don’t suppose…
“Labour facing civil war”, according to the Daily Mail.
“Brown furious over Miliband treachery”, says the Daily Express. “Gordon Brown was ‘incandescent’ with rage over a challenge to his authority…” Voice call the foreign secretary “condescending”, “patronising” and “crappy”.
“Brains versus Brown” says the Sun.
The Telegraph’s Ivan Lewis says “timidity and incremental change will not deal with the way people feel right now”.
The Mirror’s Bob Roberts – says Brown will annoint Miliband as his heir apparent, thereby avoiding a leadership challenge now. Like the Soviets used to do.
Picture: Poldraw
You can’t say they’re not on the ball, can you?
‘Communities Secretary’ Hazy McBleary sets out what action the government is taking to manage immigration.
ePolitix reports that this includes a £12m programme of improvements to the way migration data is collected, a fund to help all local services manage the impact of migration, and tougher penalties on those who exploit vulnerable workers.
McBleary said the first specialist team designed to help local councils cope with the massive influx of immigrants will begin work this summer.
McBleary was also expected to admit that the government is unaware of how many immigrants are living in the UK.
Better late than never? By the time action is taken, they will all have gone back home because of the credit crunch…
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