Controlling immigration is a sovereign right

In my column this week I’ve written about immigration and the inability of many, usually on the left, to have a sensible debate about it without resorting to insult and personal attacks. In my view the sensible view shared by many within the Town is that immigration has brought many benefits and the we should continue to welcome people from around the world who want to move here and make a positive contribution.

However, I do believe that uncontrolled immigration linked to EU freedom of movement rules has brought many challenges and that is why this week I voted to end it. I don’t care whether you come from: Spain, Australia, India, Mexico, Cameroon or Japan. If you want to move to our country integrate and make a positive contribution then you should be welcomed. However, as a country, I do believe we should have the ability to say “no” if we believe this is unlikely to be the case. As your MP I will continue to speak freely and I won’t be intimidated by local Labour Party members or even sections of the local media who are out of touch on the issue. If they think by twisting and distorting what I say and looking to shout me down I will go silent on these issues they have another thing coming.