Boot out crooks from EU says poll
BRITONS want EU citizens who are convicted criminals or claiming benefits to be kicked out of the country, a survey reveals.
The study, by the BMG research group, found that voters want the UK to be able to choose which EU immigrants can stay.
It shows 76 per cent want EU citizens who are already here but are convicted criminals kicked out of Britain.
The poll taken during the General Election campaign and given exclusively to the Daily Express, shows voters want a “merit-based” approach to immigration.
The survey reveals 52 per cent want long-term unemployed EU citizens claiming jobseeker’s allowance to be sent back to their home countries.
And 46 per cent believe EU citizens claiming in-work benefits should apply for a visa.
Mev Brown, former chief spokesman for Brexit campaign group Business for Britain in Scotland, who requested the polling data, said: “The polling highlights voters’ common sense approach and the lack of it among Bremoaners.
message
“Britons simply want a meritbased immigration policy, where the best interests of the country determine who is allowed to stay and who can come into the country after Brexit.”
He added: “There is little public support for the open-door style immigration policy backed by Bremoaners.
“In fact, there is a very clear message being sent to EU citizens – if you come here to contribute to our economy or our public services, of course you are welcome to stay.
“If, however, you come here to claim benefits or you are a convicted criminal, it is time to leave. Controlling immigration does not mean you are anti-immigration.”
The findings are published after the European Commission was criticised for demanding that all EU citizens who have ever lived in Britain and their family members should be given full rights in the UK.
Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: “Calls to guarantee the ‘rights’ of EU citizens in Britain ignore the many complexities that underlie this issue.
“The EU’s response will be an important test of their willingness to reach sensible compromises during the negotiations.”