It's a bit dramatic to say that countries that have more draconian immigration policies than ours are going to be viscerally offended by this. In the case of India it will probably welcome this as it suffers greatly from 'brain drain', although we will still be taking a relatively large amount of their high skilled countrymen.

Britain does need to address the fact that some areas can't cope with high levels of immigration, and I thought the proposal of only allowing immigrants to work in a particular part of the country was quite sensible really.

This won't have any effect on those who believe that immigrants take their jobs or houses as there's going to be far fewer vacancies over the next few years so there's going to be even more people competing for a smaller pool of jobs than before, and there's not going to be much more social housing built any time soon.

In any case, this will only have to be a tempory measure as we'll need more immigrants to help us look after the aging population.

Logically, if you believe in fre movement of XCapital, then you must support free movement of Labour.

Working in London for nine years, I have been priviledged to work with many nationalities from across the globe. I learnt my trade from Italians, my manners from Indians, and my love of wine from the French. I also laughed with Americans, grafted with Australians, etc etc.

It seems to me that the first problem to address is the skills level, and in some cases work ethic of ourselves.

A cap on immigration is not the answer, although there may be a case in specific skills areas at times.

As for the commonwealth argument, I am afraid to say that although this body does some fine work, it is not now, nor ever will be an important part of our foreign policy. Europe, our main trading partner, China, India, and to a decreasing degree over the next century the USA are the relationships that matter for our post-Imperial islands.

Daniele 21:08
Hope you managed to 'untwist your knickers' and calm down a little?? Maybe then you'll make a more considered and intelligent response.
I somehow find it hard to believe that Steve Fowler has exploited the world for anytime at all :-) and I didn't see one mention of the British Empire or of Britain being a 'world power' in his posting... so I'm not quite sure what you were responding to.. maybe it was some issue's that you personally have to deal with??
Your point of Britain being nothing unless attached to europe is somewhat vague but I assume you're referring to Britain being under e.u. domination? A strange assertion given that the most rapidly developing economies around the world are free, sovereign, independent states - India, Malasiya, Brazil,China, Vietnam etc while the euro-zone you so loudly champion is virtually in economic dead zone (see the collapse in value of the euro in which you so believe to prove the point) how long before state's with more sense (Germany) leave and the euro collapses completely through lack of support or state's like Greece are forced to leave and it collapses through lack of credibility (what then for your discredited 'make believe' currency which whether you know it or not even it's instigators said was not introduced for 'economic purposes'). I'm not sure what your understanding of the word 'sink' means but I do hope I'm never on a boat with you if it was found to have a hole in the bottom! I would though be interested in your comments on the recent rise of Pound Sterling.. if you'd care?
Daniele, whether other states choose Her Most Gracious Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second (of whom I consider myself a humble subject)as their Head of State is their business.. But I see your 'mindset' tends to be some what more fasci.. oops.. sorry.. european on that subject.
Regards the Commonwealth, and to other's that commented on the subject, Britain was forced to reduce it's trade with the Commonwealth as a condition of becoming a 'member' of the e.e.c. so to now say Britain's trade is primarily with the euro-zone is rather stating the obvious because it was forced to become and agreed to be that way. The fact that this in fact cost the average Briton more was of little relevance to our bilderberger quisling rulers at the time much the same as it is today. Some may be interested to know that it was charles 'backstabber' de gaulle and the french that introduced that stipulation/condition upon Britain's entry.
But Daniele I would whole heartedly agree with you on one point. It IS time for Britain to leave the land of the fairies! and become once again a Free Independent Sovereign nation.

Let me remind Britain that immigrants are a resource they can not afford to shut out,besides the squandered their former colonies' wealth and forgot to help with poverty alleviation and to transfer tecnology to enable self sustanance.

Thank you Teresa May. There are no jobs for the British, the health service is serving everyone but the British. The schools are teaching everyone else but the British. Wake up out there, we can't take anymore.

Many countries are clamping down on economic migration. India introduced a draconian 1% rule last year and chucked out over 20,000 skilled and semi skilled chinese workers.
Australia no longer gives preference to the UK and neither should it.
The UK is part of Europe and we have free movement. For any other countries ut should be seen as a privilege to come here and in the UKs best interest to cherrypick the best especially in the recession.

Get real! Canadian and Australian immigration policy has been anti-British since the 1970's, the Commonwealth is made of up of third world countries. In the 21st century nobody wants you unless you are highly qualified.

Moreover, the EU has impinged the UK's policy on diplomatic, social and economic development with the Commonwealth - an entity that existed before the formation of the E.U and an entity that has 'legal character' under International Law.
Moreover, this reduction of trade by the EU affects International Law polices such as the UN's Millenium Development Goals.

The legal structure, social structure of commonwealth nations ranging from common law principles on;

inheritance
tax
sentencing and the criminal law
contract and insurance law
road traffic law
financial regulation
tortious liability

IS all in line with the system in England & Wales. We have much in common and I feel closer to the commonwealth as a result than Germany, Poland or France etc who all have different legal systems and jurisprudence.

It just shows that your comment about "Britain is firmly attached to Europe" is VERY SILLY when everything that underpins society in Britain will be much similar to Australia, India and even Kenya than the French, Germans and Italians.

Please be well informed before making comments about intricate societal issues.

Isn't it bloody marvellous. Terresa wil achieve her figures of cutting non-EU immigration from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands, because the previous Labour Govt done the job already. We might as wel have continued with Labour and sved ourselves the trouble.
The more this wretched Coalition tries to claim credit for itself and 'decisive' Govt, the more I see them just tweaking Labours policies already in place. Shame on them. Can anyone remember what Osborne actually introduced that was new in his panic Budget?

fuck them all eu or no eu............