I will let immigration surge, insists Corbyn
JEREMY Corbyn is set to deepen Labour’s rift over border controls today by signalling he would be happy for immigration to soar.
In the leader’s keynote speech to his party’s annual conference, he is due to reject any curbs on European Union citizens coming to Britain.
And last night aides insisted Mr Corbyn was “relaxed” about net migration rising even higher.
A spokesman said: “Jeremy is not concerned about numbers. It is not an objective to reduce immigration.”
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Mr Corbyn will strike a defiant note, despite warnings from Labour MPs that the continuing commitment to open-door border controls is alienating voters.
He is set to tell delegates in Liverpool that Labour will not promise to cut net migration.
He is expected to say: “We will, instead, tackle the real issues of immigration and make the real changes that are needed.”
A Labour government would outlaw firms “undercutting” pay with migrant workers and spend more on public services in high migration areas.
His aides said he wanted to help to “equalise” wage levels across the EU.
Bitter divisions erupted at the conference yesterday.
Deputy leader Tom Watson and London Mayor Sadiq Khan both appealed to the party to focus on the need to win votes in what appeared to be a fightback by moderates.
Mr Watson was cheered and heckled as he pleaded with delegates to ditch anticapitalist rhetoric. Behind him, Mr Corbyn sat grimfaced as Mr Watson called for an end to attacks on the Blair government.
Mr Watson’s speech intensified speculation that he is pitching himself as a successor to Mr Corbyn.
He drew loud applause as he listed achievements from 1997 to 2008 when economic growth funded work on cutting poverty and boosting pensions, hospitals, schools, police and overseas aid.
Most delegates – but not Mr Corbyn – rose to their feet when he said: “I don’t know why we’ve been focusing on what was wrong with the Blair and Brown governments – but trashing our own record is not the way to enhance our brand.
“We won’t win elections like that. The Prime Minister could call one next week.
“Capitalism, comrades, is not the enemy. Money’s not the problem. Business isn’t bad. Businesses are where people work. The private sector’s what generates the money to pay for our schools and hospitals.”