Nick Clegg hits out at Conservatives’ cap on net immigration to UK
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg will today slam David Cameron’s target to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands by 2015, claiming it has drawn attention away from the challenge of fixing Britain’s border controls.
In a speech this morning, Clegg will boast that he was right to argue against the cap on net immigration. However, the Liberal Democrat leader will also appear to look tough on migration, insisting that so-called abuse of the current system must not be tolerated.
“If we are really going to tackle illegal immigration in a meaningful way, we must complete the job of putting proper border checks in place,” Clegg will say, adding that more must be done to tighten up the process on train and ferry services in and out of the UK.
Clegg’s speech marks the latest in a number by politicians of all ilks seeking to take a tougher line on immigration, following the success of Ukip’s stance on the issue.