Labour Party to listen to country's immigration concerns
The Labour Party will today begin a three-month tour of the country to listen to public concerns on immigration while the party rethinks its policy agenda.
Over three months, Starmer will visit every part of the UK to hear people’s views on immigration policy and its impact on local communities. He will hold roundtable events with the CBI, the TUC and Universities UK.
Keir Starmer MP, said:
“This is not intended to be an easy or comfortable exercise. It is a genuine attempt to listen to and learn from the public on the issues of migration and refugees.
“I will spend the next three months visiting different parts of the UK, listening to the arguments and seeing for myself both the advantages and challenges that migration brings in different places.
“There are many, varied and legitimate views on migration across the Labour party and the UK. Many Labour voters and supporters are worried about migration and their concerns are our concerns.”
Andy Burnham MP, said:
"Labour needs a plan to win back the voters we failed to convince on immigration. We will not succeed in doing that by denying the effect that migration has had on some communities. EU free movement is, overall, beneficial to our society and economy. But it has a different input on different places. In some of our more deprived areas, it has put pressure on public services and undermined jobs and wages. If politicians don't understand and acknowledge that, then we will continue to look out of touch.
“For too long, Labour has been uncomfortable discussing immigration. This listening tour is an attempt to change that and deal directly and honestly with it. The answer is not to cut ourselves off from the world but to be clear about the need for strong borders and firm but fair rules. We need practical solutions to the problems free movement creates, such as EU funding to support the communities most affected and rules to prevent the under-cutting of wages. Labour will continue to argue for these things as part of our renegotiation with the EU. And Labour will be resolute in opposing further Tory cuts to our Border Force that are now on the way.”
Source=https://www.economicvoice.com/labour-launches-immigration-listening-tour/
