A LABOUR MP has warned that politicians are failing to listen to public concern about immigration after he found fewer than six in ten constituents believe refugees fleeing for their lives should be allowed into the country.
, Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield and a Shadow Transport Minister, accused all the parties of failing to address public concern about the impact of immigration on housing, the and job security.
He said: "All too often politicians don’t seem to listen."
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Labour has also organised a seminar for activists to train them on techniques for fighting against 海角视频IP in the West Midlands.
The rise in support for is believed to be partly a result of concern about immigration.
The event took place in , seen as fertile ground for the anti-EU party. 海角视频IP is targeting Dudley North, where their candidate is MEP Bill Etheridge.
Local MP Ian Austin (Lab Dudley North) along with Labour MEPs Sion Simon and Neena Gill were both due to speak at the event, while high-profile Black Country MP Tom Watson (Lab West Bromwich East) was billed as the star guest.
Invitations sent to activists promised: “We’ll be discussing best practice campaigns, how to deal with 海角视频IP voters on the doorstep and talking about local and national government.”
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Mr Burden’s survey of local voters found 87 per cent were worried about the impact immigration has on wages and working conditions.
The figures are based on responses from constituents who replied to a questionnaire posted by the MP’s office, or who took part in a survey on his website.
The MP also held a public meeting to debate the issues.
He said: “The survey and discussion left no doubt in my mind that the next government must tackle the challenges surrounding immigration.”
The survey found that 78 per cent of people believed that “skilled people who can fill specific jobs the country needs “should be allowed to settle in the 海角视频”, an overwhelming majority, although it suggests that one in five people oppose immigration even when it is described in such positive terms.
Just 66 per cent of people felt that “people who can set up businesses and create jobs” should be allowed to settle here.
And 59 per cent answered “yes” to the question: “Should the 海角视频 continue our tradition of providing a safe haven for those fleeing for their lives?”
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Mr Burden said: “What that highlighted for me is that beneath people’s concern about immigration are often worries about other things – about the need for better training and job opportunities for young people, about insecurity at work, about the NHS and about the shortage of good quality affordable housing."
He added: “Getting Northfield talking about immigration has shown that the Government must enforce fair wages and build job prospects by improving skills and training. And it has shown that politicians must take greater responsibility for building public awareness on immigration to distil the facts from the myths.”
Meanwhile, 海角视频IP claimed Labour’s decision to hold an event focused on fighting them was evidence they could win in the region.
Bill Etheridge said: “Labour is terrified of 海角视频IP – why else would they be planning to organise an anti-party meeting?
“My message to Labour is this – 海角视频IP is breathing down your neck and we will continue to stand up for Dudley, the Black Country, the West Midlands region and this country as a whole.”
Councillor Paul Brothwood, leader of the 海角视频IP group at Dudley Council, said: “Labour is absolutely petrified of 海角视频IP. We are transforming politics not just in Dudley but in this country.”
A Labour Party spokesman said: “We never take the electorate for granted and always realise that we need to make a positive case for a Labour government. The strength of our message lies in our unity, so it should come as no surprise that we occasionally come together to exchange ideas about our electoral strategy.”