IMMIGRATION/SPANISH PRACTICES

Michael Howard’s recent announcement that he intends to regain control of Britain’s borders is all very well, but it is not enough to talk about stopping illegal workers, demanding bonds or proper embarkation controls - no matter how worthy these things are in themselves.

The fact is that this country’s membership of the EU allows immigrants to gain entry into the UK, by first gaining entry in another EU country. The UK has surrendered its veto on immigration.

The consequences of this have been highlighted by Spain, which recently legalised up to 1.5million illegal immigrants in Spain, who then automatically gain full entry to all other EU countries. ‘Immigration for a socialist government is not just a policy of public order or border controls’, said Consuelo Rumi, the Spanish Immigration Minister.

Now it has been revealed that more illegal immigrants are getting into Spain via the Canary Islands. Already, hundreds of Africans per month are making the trip, and this number is likely to grow given that the Spanish government has introduced a new policy.

After 40 days of having illegally entered the Canary Islands, the illegal immigrants are sent to Spain unless they reveal where they have come from (which they obviously do not). If they can then work, legally or illegally, for 6 months they will automatically gain work permits and residency papers.

At that point, they are free to move to any EU country, including the UK - for so long as the UK remains in the EU.