UK should let in all migrants as a clampdown would just ‘sow division’ says Corbyn
The Labour Party leader says his government would not stop immigration, but bring back the migrant impact fund to pour money into the worst affected areas
JEREMY Corbyn will today commit Britain to open door immigration with no “false promises” to control numbers.
The hard left Labour leader will also suggest a post-Brexit clampdown would only “sow division” and “fan the flames of fear”.
Instead, the 67-year-old veteran Socialist will say a government he leads would tackle a record number of arrivals by pouring money into the worst affected areas.
Mr Corbyn’s defiant stand comes despite the overwhelming EU referendum verdict in favour of strict immigration controls, and will infuriate many of his MPs.
More moderates spoke out yesterday to call for the party to end its long standing commitment to free movement across Europe.
Delivering his annual party conference speech after his re-election on Saturday, the Labour boss will say: “A Labour government will not offer false promises.
“We will not sow division or fan the flames of fear. We will instead tackle the real issues of immigration – and make the real changes that are needed.
“We will ease the pressure on hard pressed public services.
“Labour will reinstate the migrant impact fund, abolished by the Tory government.”
Explaining Mr Corbyn's thinking ahead of his keynote annual address in Liverpool, his spokesman said: "Jeremy is not concerned about numbers.
"Reducing immigration is not an objective, it's about dealing with the consequences of it.
"An increase in immigration is an increase in economic growth."
Mr Corbyn will also put Labour on notice to fight an early general election next year as he announces the party has started to prepare for one.
He will tell the Liverpool faithful there is “every chance” Theresa May will “cut and run for an early election” despite pledging not to.
But he will insist Labour will only win it if the civil war-riven party pulls together under him, and “end the trench warfare”.
Leading Labour MP Rachel Reeves last night warned "bubbling" racial tensions could explode into full blown riots unless immigration numbers are slashed.
The former shadow cabinet member also said Labour needed to "wake up" and listen to the concerns over immigration in working class communities.
At a Labour conference fringe event, she claimed Britain could see a repeat of the London riots in northern cities, unless the government curbs freedom of movement.
Ms Reeves said: “The other reason we have got to get this right is because there are bubbling tensions in this country that I just think could explode.
“You had those riots in 2011, the riots didn’t happen in Leeds and in my constituency, but if riots started again in Leeds and bits of my constituency, it’s like a tinder box.”
Fellow Remain campaigners Emma Reynolds and Stephen Kinnock have all recently claimed controls on immigration is one of the key lessons for Labour following the June 23 vote.
While Andy Burnham last night said the party should become the champions of a "fair Brexit".
The Shadow Home Secretary called for Labour to turn a page on immigration and respond to the millions of voters who backed a Brexit - but challenge Theresa May at every turn to ensure Britain gets the right deal from the EU.
Tory MP for Dover Charlie Elphicke dubbed Mr Corbyn’s open door plan “the immigration policy of the mad house”, adding: “The British people have been clear what they want.
“It shows Jeremy Corbyn is hopelessly out of touch.”
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Mr Corbyn also said last night that immigration can also be curbed by equalising pay and working conditions across Europe.
