[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Damien

Judging from Howards interview he didnt have much of an idea either. Also labour have made a speech on it this morning. Also no one is accusing them of playing the race card, they are saying they are playing on fears. The torys keep talking about racism on this issue because they think it 1) Appeals to the audience 2) gives there stance more credibility (i.e we are making a stand)

Howardââ‚Ã⠀šÃ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s plan is flawed. He will keep the asylum seekers on offshore asylum centres, yet he has no idea where they could be, he admitted that himself. How many countries will allow an asylum-processing centre to be in their country? If we are the magnet to immigrants and asylum seekers as we are led to believe who would want their country to be the targeting point of these waves and waves of asylum seekers!

Of course his other big idea is to remove us from the UN Convention on immigration, no other civilised country has ever removed themselfs from this convention. Although not directly related he also wants to scrap the human rights act, Of course maybe he does hold human rights at the top of his agenda, after all he oppress the ID cards bill (apart from when he supported it)

Back to immigration, He really does like the idea of quotas. Despite the obvious problem of what if an asylum seeker turns up after the quota is filled is the fact that the UN not only would withdraw their support but also is telling him that he cannot withdraw from the UN Convention. Maybe the UN doesnââ‚ƚ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t understand immigration? Well the head of the Confederation of British Industry says it will harm British business.

So, the UN and the CBI condemn the plans. He cannot tell us where the asylum seekers will be kept, he cannot give us a quota, and he canââ‚Âà ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢t withdraw us from the UN Convention. So how is this a sensible stand from the Tories?

As he pointed out, no party in opposition has the ability to make treaties with other countries, or did you not listen to that part?
As it is, labour have been trying to do this with other EU countries, so if it's such a crazy plan, why are labour doing it too?
There are many countries which would be open and suitable for such centres with a finacial incentive.
Remember, £1 goes a very long way in many countries.

As for leaving the UN convention, he's already said that we will continue to take in asylum seekers, at the same level of genuine ones we already take (ie approx 20,000 a year) from the UN alone, not including the ones that arrive without UN intervention.
Do you honestly think that the UN would turn round to Britain and say "no you can't have them" when we open our doors to genuine aslyum seekers which the UN are trying to home?
Oh and do try not to believe the labour lies that he would deny entry to sick and ill asylum seekers.

As for rejecting ID cards and other labour policies, labour is very good at pointing out that the tories have blocked policies which on face value sound like good things, but never ever mention the valid reasons behind the tories' actions.
It's a bit like saying I'm against the fight against terrorism because I oppose the goverment's ID scheme, when the actual reason why I'm against it is because I don't believe labour can deliver what is required. See how my image changes when the reason behind it is given?
Of course what labour don't realise they're doing when they say things like this is pointing out what a good opposition the Tories make!

As for the CBI they've said on Radio 4 last nigh that they would like a points system that required things such as the ability to speak English, they would also like a cap which is decided between the goverment and themselves, strangly exactly what Howard is proposing.

So lets see, we have a points system which is in line with what the CBI have said they'd be happy with, we're open to take in as many genuine asylum seekers as we already do and will be able take in more should a sudden emergency arise, imigration centres will be set up abroad so that we don't get the hundreds of thousands of non-genuine asylum seekers dissapearing through the system that we do now.
Michael Howard has the balls to discuss these matters, too bad the other "leaders" don't.
Although TB probably has his hands full trying to explain to cherie why he's failed their childrens' school so badly that she has to give them packed lunches