THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg said he was ''incredibly angry'' with David Cameron and Gordon Brown over attacks on his party's immigration policy.
The Liberal Democrats' plans to allow illegal immigrants who have been in the UK for 10 years to earn citizenship has been labelled an ''amnesty'' by their political rivals on their election campaigns.
But Mr Clegg today said he was the only party leader with the ''courage'' to confront a chaotic system which had been allowed to exist under successive Labour and Conservative administrations.
Mr Clegg said: ''It makes me incredibly angry that David Cameron and Gordon Brown create a problem ... and are perfectly happy to turn a deaf ear to criminal gangs running amok in our community.
''I'm the only leader who actually wants to do something about it.''
The issue of immigration has been raised throughout the campaign and was the subject of a question in each of the three leaders' debates.
In the final televised showdown Mr Cameron claimed 600,000 illegal immigrants could be given the right to remain and bring a family member to the UK under the Lib Dem proposals.
Speaking to reporters at a campaign event in Burnley, Mr Clegg hit out at the way opponents ''wholly misrepresent'' his plan.
He said: ''Given that neither David Cameron nor Gordon Brown want to actually clear up the mess they created, they don't want to be honest with you.
''I think it's right that the Liberal Democrats are saying we have got to do something about this.
''Do you know what I want? I want to go after the criminal gangs. >>> | Sunday, May 02, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: A significant social change was foisted on Britain without our consent, says Alasdair Palmer
Gordon Brown has apologised profusely for calling Gillian Duffy "bigoted" after she asked him what he was going to do about immigration. But for all his very public penitence, Mr Brown's initial reaction reveals what he really thinks of those who are sceptical about immigration's benefits.
The number of people coming to stay in Britain is now nearly four times greater than in 1997: every year, at least 130,000 more people have arrived than left (in 2007, the figure was 248,000). If present trends continue, Britain's population will reach 70 million within the next 20 years.
The influx of migrants, many of whom are not familiar with British norms and traditions – and who have traditions of their own that they are, understandably, not ready to abandon – has already had very significant effects on many communities. Some people like those changes, especially those who employ cleaners, nannies and builders, and who can afford to eat at exotic restaurants. Others don't. Their reaction doesn't have to be based on bigotry, although of course it can be. But you don't have to be a bigot to deplore more overcrowding in schools, or more pressure on housing, health services and transport.
The huge increase in immigration has taken place almost without discussion. It was not mentioned in Labour's manifesto in 1997, nor in 2001. In 2005, it rated scarcely more than a few lines. When Michael Howard, the then Conservative leader, tried to make the subject an election issue, he was accused of racism by Labour – and, of course, "bigotry". The charge was effective in closing down the debate. >>> Alasdair Palmer | Saturday, May 01, 2010
