Tories Oppose EU Immigration Report

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 15th Jan 2004

British Conservative MEPs today showed that even under a new leader the Tories remain hostile to guaranteeing rights of legal immigrants and ensuring they are well integrated into our society, according to Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats.

Speaking after the vote in the European Parliament on a report on immigration, integration and employment Baroness Ludford said:

"Blind opposition to the benefits of legal immigration may play well with some of their supporters, but the Conservative approach to this issue is not putting the interests of the UK first.

Canvassing support based on prejudice and fear shows the Tories' true colours, and just as under Thatcher they are still 'not for turning' away from their naturally right-wing inclinations."

Note:

Sarah Ludford's Press Release from before the debate yesterday:

European lead on integration debate

The integration of immigrants is a major topic of debate for the European Parliament this week, with a report calling for better managed legal migration to the EU and more active integration efforts.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats commented:

"I strongly welcome a European lead on the immigration & integration debate and the stress on the valuable contribution immigrants make to employment and to a modern society.

"But the contrast between the British and French attitudes to the wearing of the Muslim headscarf shows there is much need for dialogue on what integration means as opposed to assimilation."

"Integration is surely a two-way street in which all parties should respect diversity. Effort is needed not only from immigrants themselves - such as on language learning and equality - but also from indigenous communities - in acccepting differences.'

"I hope British Labour MEPs advocating the value of immigration at the European level will remind David Blunkett to stop colluding with tabloid media hysteria through ever-meaner measures. If asylum-seekers were allowed to work, they could escape the 'welfare scrounger' jibe unfairly and inaccurately thrown at them."

"And the UK government should champion, not opt out of, a new law on EU rights for long-term migrants which would make 1.5 million British residents more secure."