Press Archives

Wednesday 6 October 2004

Statement of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants on the Shadow Home Secretary's comments on immigration

Habib Rahman, Chief Executive of JCWI, said:

"We are appalled to hear that David Davis thinks immigration threatens British values. The majority of immigrants who come to Britain, either as refugees or economic migrants do so because they share Britain's faith in liberal democratic values and the desire that we all have for opportunity and selfimprovement.

"It is also unfair to blame immigrants for over-crowding in British cities. Many people are struggling to obtain affordable housing. But this is because of the falling interest rates in recent years and the distrust of pension plans which have increased property investment and prices. It is hardly the fault of immigrants.

"We are very concerned that these kind of comments run the risk of creating distrust of newcomers to the UK. They will be extremely unhelpful to community relations. We urge all the political parties to stop seeking political capital out of negative comments about immigrants in the run-up to the next
General Election."