A new poll out today demonstrates there is massive backing for a substantial cut in immigration levels from supporters of all parties and shows that a programme of ‘Balanced Migration’ into the UK could have a major effect on voting intentions in a future election.
The YouGov poll, which the Cross party Group on Balanced Migration asked Migrationwatch to commission, found that were the Conservatives to adopt such a policy – in which the number of people allowed to settle in the UK in any year was broadly similar to those who left – they would be likely to improve their support among a significant number of Labour and Liberal Democrat voters.
81 per cent of Labour voters want to see a substantial reduction in current immigration numbers. Of those, 36 per cent think that Balanced Migration is about the right level, but the other 45 per cent think even that is too high.
83 per cent of Liberal Democrats want to see much lower immigration. Of these, 43 per cent support Balanced Migration, while 40 per cent believe the limit should be even lower.
89 per cent of Conservatives want a sharp reduction in immigration. Of these, 23 per cent support Balanced Migration, while 66 per cent want even tougher limits.
Among BME respondents, 75 per cent wanted much lower immigration, of whom 36 per cent supported Balanced Migration and 39 per cent wanted even tougher limits.
The poll also showed that 33 per cent of the electorate were more likely to vote Conservative if David Cameron were to adopt Balanced Migration as a policy; only 5 per cent would be less likely to support him – a net gain of 28 per cent.
Of Labour voters, 13 per cent would be more inclined to vote Conservative, with 9 per cent less inclined. 24 per cent of Liberal Democrats would be more likely to vote Conservative and 8 per cent less likely.
Commenting, Migrationwatch chairman Sir Andrew Green said:
‘This poll clearly shows that voters from across the board, including the ethnic minorities, strongly support a policy at least as firm as Balanced Migration. Concern about the present massive uncontrolled level of immigration is not a partisan issue. I hope that all the political parties will now get the message and engage in a constructive debate about Balanced Migration in the months ahead.
‘Balanced Migration is the only policy on the table which accommodates both the needs of business and the growing concern of voters about the impact of immigration on our community cohesion, public services and infrastructure. Our proposals will allow immigrants to work for a limited period, while ending their present almost automatic right to settle. This policy would eventually stabilise the population of the at 65 million by mid-century, as opposed to the 78.6 million now projected.’