So, Ed Miliband’s team have sparked “iMUGration-gate”. Some of Labour’s most high-profile MPs aren’t impressed, and for good reason.
All modern countries have immigration controls and defend their borders. If ever a point was moot, it was this one. It is disappointing then that Labour have stooped to what amounts to obvious dog-whistle politics on this issue rather than simply explaining that it is in fact not controversial that a modern country – particularly social democratic welfare states – have a compelling interest in controlling their borders. Show me a state without border control and I’ll show you a failed state.
Clearly Ed M is keen to distance New-Old Labour from Tony Blair’s “toxic” legacy. (Remember Blair? He’s the guy who won three consecutive elections for Labour) However, spitefully and cynically diverging from New Labour’s policy of constructive intervention by blocking action in Syria will prove an easier sell to his far-left support than distancing the party from his predecessor’s record on immigration. This one is obviously designed to counter the perception that Labour is losing votes to UKIP.
But the entire issue is a bear trap and stomping about the issue is a mug’s game. The fallout will be as obvious as that pun.
On the other hand, it is possible that Ed Miliband misheard a lot of talk about “putting a cup on immigration”.
