Cameron calls for limit on immigration

Cameron toughens Tory line on immigration

Thursday, 30, Aug 2007 12:00

David Cameron has warned immigration in to the UK is too high and risks over burdening public services.

Stepping carefully into immigration politics, Mr Cameron said there were legitimate concerns to be had over immigration and the strain it places on education, housing and the health service.

Mr Cameron said: "People have very real concerns about levels of immigration.

"Not because of worries about different cultures or the colour of someone's skin.

"People's concerns are about services, pressures on schools, hospitals, housing.

"If your child is going to reception class in your local school and 20 new kids turn up that's big pressure."

In a pre-recorded interview for BBC 2's Newsnight, Mr Cameron said immigration levels had now become excessive and were placing too great a burden on public services.

Mr Cameron was keen to avoid repeating the language of Margaret Thatcher, who infamously said Britain was being "swamped" by immigrants.

He would also have been mindful of the furore over the Conservatives' 2005 election campaign, which was accused of racism over the slogan "are you thinking what we're thinking".

Mr Cameron criticised Labour's record on immigration, which he said often combined "loose and inflammatory language" with "weak and ineffective action".

But he came close to advocating a points-based entry system, as now planned by the government. He said immigrants' skills should be balanced against the additional strain they would place on public services.

The Tory leader called for an outright cap on non-EU immigration. He also said a Conservative government would demand transitional arrangements for new EU member states, as were secured when Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU.,

Labour did not demand such arrangements when ten states, including Poland, were admitted in 2004 and the levels of immigration from eastern Europe subsequently exceeded targets, with 500,000 Poles entering Britain.

The wide-ranging interview marked another indication by Mr Cameron that he is keen to regain the lead on the Tory's traditional battlegrounds.

It followed a week of speeches on crime, highlighting the Conservatives' "three-dimensional" solution to "anarchy in the UK".

Mr Cameron said last night it was important to divert people away from crime, including through schools and youth clubs.

"The 'love' bit of 'tough love' is as important," he said.

Questioned about his own privileged upbringing Mr Cameron said he was lucky, especially in contrast to the people "trapped" at the bottom of society, which he blamed on poor education, family breakdown, alcohol and indebtedness.

Mr Cameron also rejected the argument too many members of his shadow Cabinet have jobs outside politics, making it appear that they are not ready to form a government.

The Tory leader insisted the party has "fire in its belly" and was ready to fight a possible snap election.