People in Britain believe too many immigrants are entering the country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 68 per cent of respondents think the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in the United Kingdom should decrease.
In June 2007, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.
Last year, the British government introduced changes to its immigration policies. All investors and graduates under the age of 40—from countries that do not belong to the European Union (EU)—must now earn the equivalent of $66,000 a year in their home countries in order to resettle in Britain. Skilled workers from non-EU countries can only be recruited if a vacancy cannot be filled.
On Nov. 12, Brown vowed to “tighten” immigration rules and proposed establishing a points-based test for migrants who want to become probationary citizens and doubling the period for jobs to be advertised first to British workers from two to four weeks.
Brown declared: “I have never agreed with the lazy elitism that dismisses immigration as an issue, or portrays anyone who has concerns about immigration as a racist. Immigration is not an issue for fringe parties nor a taboo subject. (…) People want to be assured that newcomers will accept the responsibilities as well as the rights that come with living here.”
The next election to the House of Commons must be held on or before Jun. 3, 2010. Sitting prime ministers can dissolve Parliament and call an early ballot at their discretion.
Complete Poll (PDF)
Source/Full Story: Angus Reid Global Monitor
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Britons Want to Decrease Legal Immigration
Source/Full Story: Angus Reid Global Monitor
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