London – Cameron’s European offensive has started. Short-term goal: new immigration bill.
“It has been estimated that in the UK the backlog of people overstayed their visas and whose whereabouts are unknown is 300.000, but it is not known how many are working. Last figures covering the 12 months to September 2014 show that immigration rose from 530.000 the previous year to 624.000, while emigration remained stable at 327.000”.
Cameron declared that the UK needs a new immigration bill. The opportunity to discuss about this issue was offered on May 22th by the Riga Summit, in which occasion Cameron talked to EU countries’ leaders in order to provide a new regulation on the European benefits, that have made the UK an irresistible attraction for foreign citizens.
It could avoid the Brexit – said Cameron: if new immigration regulation is projected, it will be possible to prevent the Brexit. Furthermore, Prime Minister is sure that its request will not fall on deaf ears: in fact, also North European countries have to deal with huge migration flows difficult to supervise.
In addition to that, Jean-Claude Juncker, the current President of the European Commission, said he was willing to reach a fair compromise with Cameron, although freedom of movement as the basic principle of the European Union is not negotiable.
Last but not least, the Queen’s speech: Cameron ensured electors that during the Parliament opening ceremony the Queen will talk about the new immigration bill.
“Migrants with current leave to remain but who are working illegally in breach of their conditions may be prosecuted under the Immigration Act 1971 and be liable on summary conviction to a six-month custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine”, it was finally declared.
They may be restrictive measures which Cameron’s electors could appreciate. Nevertheless, new immigration bill raises doubts about its validity.
It’s a given that UK needs new immigration rules to include crackdown on illegal foreign workers. On the other hand, immigration is a problem that afflicts Britain as well as other EU countries.
Europe has to find the correct solution, never forgetting EU citizens’ duties and rights.