Conservative obsession with immigration

The Conservatives, seeking to exploit their advantage on the issue of asylum and immigration, may have shot themselves in the foot by over-egging the issue. People may be concerned about immigration, but they also have other concerns. In any case, the core vote the Conservatives are seeking to bring out may drive many more waverers into the bosom of other parties.

On closer inspection, it becomes obvious that the issue they are ranting against is in fact a logical conclusion of their own policies. If you believe in the supremacy of the market and in the unhindered movement of goods and services across borders, if you believe that taxation and protectionism are odious, then there is no rational reason why you should object to the free movement of labour. The ‘natural hand’ of the market will direct workers to where there is demand for their labour. On the basis of the economic theory espoused by the Conservatives, immigration should be considered as undesirable an impediment to economic activity as taxation and over-regulation.

The Conservatives appreciate the comparative advantage offered by immigrants- low wages. That is why they have employed them to deliver their election campaign literature. It is also the main reason why the CBI has opposed the Conservative plans. Talk of a skills shortage, which could be made worse by the Conservative proposals, is just a subterfuge. There is no significant skills shortage. There is a shortage of unskilled workers who are prepared to do low paid jobs.

Seen in this context, it also becomes clear that the Labour party has not been pusillanimous on the issue of immigration. It too accepts the supremacy of the market. The shortage of workers, particularly for jobs no one else is prepared to do, has been the chief driver of immigration under Labour.