Debating immigration

It needs to be done in ways that are more sober,less evidence-free

In the UK,the leading parties are racing each other on the question of immigration. The trigger was the surprise win of the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party in the Eastleigh by-election,in which it played the immigration card. Before Parliament went into Easter recess on Tuesday,the rattled Tories fired back with a broadside from Prime Minister David Cameron in Ipswich,in which he proposed sweeping restrictions to immigration from within Europe. Labour’s Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats have spoken on immigration earlier,during a legislative session in which the question has received extraordinary attention. Britain has been swept by extravagant fears of a tidal wave of immigrants from Bulgaria and Romania in December,when border curbs on these newest EU states are relaxed. But the real source of concern is domestic. The UK economy has been about as lively as the Sargasso Sea and the public is tired of constant cuts in welfare,services and jobs. Voters are sitting ducks for scaremongering politicians prophesying an immigration wave that will bleed them dry.

But it’s not just about Europe. Last year,a serious row broke out when Cameron’s government tightened curbs on student visas,specifically disallowing visas covering employment after education. Applications from fee-paying candidates in India and other countries dropped dramatically and universities urged a rethink. Now,Cameron has clarified that his government will not impose restrictions on immigrants who earn their keep and contribute to Britain. Students are typically young,in good health,have a small welfare footprint and are eager to earn. It is hard to conceive of them as freeloaders.

The debate on immigration in the UK is currently a bit confused,typically focused on fears and not deeply concerned about facts. But it is healthy to thrash it out. All successful,globalised countries will have to address it at some point. For political reasons,globalisation has prioritised the movement of capital and imposed curbs on labour. But the nature of industry is changing and human resource now gives the edge to competitiveness. People are migrating freely to sell their skills,and their host nations must learn to deal with the political fallout.