UK ELECTION

UK Election: Anti-immigration feeling lurks around in party manifestos

labour-britain-afp Supporters shelter from the rain as they wait for Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive in Southall, west London on May 18, 2017, as campaigning continues in the build up to the general election on June 8 | AFP

The Labour party has originally been close to the migrant community—especially the Asians living in the UK. But according to a report in 2015, it was pointed out that the Conservative party actually won the general election because of the 1.2 mn Indians living here in the UK, who chose to vote for them over the others.

However, that was David Cameron and his policies, but this election, Prime Minister Theresa May is definitely not trying to woo the Indian voters. The number of Indian candidates have gone down from 17 to 13, though Labour party has maintained their numbers at 14, same as in 2015. The Labours also have declared the largest number of BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) candidates this year—a total of 58.

Brexit and its consequences have been one of the main concerns in most manifestos. Interestingly, many Indians living in the UK had voted for Brexit last July, believing that this may open up new doors of opportunities for them. But the 2017 election manifestos are a clear reflection of the growing anti-immigrant feeling lurking around in Britain, whether the diaspora likes it or not.

The Conservative manifesto is very clear cut on immigration. They are trying to 'control and reduce' numbers down by tens of thousands and that includes foreign students. They have promised to increase Immigration Skill Charges to £2000 levied on companies or businesses who want to hire anyone outside the British Workforce—which includes Indians. Currently, companies have to pay £1000 per non-EU immigrant that they are hiring. The Tories are also planning to make foreign workers and overseas students pay more NHS services, to cover the increasing costs and increase the earnings threshold for people wishing to sponsor migrants for family visas. Foreign students are expected to leave the country after their course finishes, unless they qualify for higher requirements, that allow them to work in Britain—a clear indication that the 'Post Study Work' visa will not be restarted in the near future.

On the other hand, the Labour party has outlined its vision for immigration control (after Brexit), suggesting that it could be achieved through a 'tailored mix' of employer sponsorship, work permits and visas. Though the manifesto outlines that it will not discriminate between people of different races and creeds, it has clearly reflected the anxiety about Brexit—the end of free labour movement from mainland Europe.

Since the party remains a representative of the labour forces in UK, it has directly not shown any discontentment towards Indians as skilled migrants taking up British jobs. But it hasn't made any clear promises either, except that it would remove students from immigration figures. They have said they would protect EU citizens who are already in the UK and scrap the income threshold for bringing foreign spouses in the country—in a venture to end 'Skype families', where spouses and families are forced to live apart and interact through Skype or Facetime.

Huffington Post reported that Labour's draft policy changed after a crunch meeting last Thursday, especially after concerns were raised about the initial immigration policies proposed in the manifesto. It is perhaps wise for them and a step towards the right direction—but the party still fails to promise better economic rights for the non-EU immigrants, especially for Indians, as the official Brexit date draws closer.

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