Britain’s minorities are better off in the EU
Seema Malhotra, Chuka Umunna and Keith Vaz
Of the many myths peddled by those campaigning for Britain to leave Europe, the claim that Brexit would benefit non-European immigrant communities is among the most outrageous. The fact is, our communities’ legitimate concerns about the current immigration system lie at the door of the Tory government, not the EU, and the consequences of leaving would hit minority communities hardest.
The leavers’ false claim is that, if we leave the EU, there can be higher non-EU immigration while bringing down overall numbers. Let’s not be seduced by this lie.
Indeed, since 2010 Tories have toughened eligibility criteria for Tier 1 migrants and introduced new restrictions. Where there are shortages in certain sectors, such as in our curry houses, it’s government rules that are the root of the problem.
It is wrong to argue that leaving Europe would strengthen our ties with the Commonwealth. The EU amplifies Britain’s ties with our Commonwealth partners.
Within the EU, Britain’s trade with the Commonwealth is flourishing as we have access to the EU’s free trade deals with 19 Commonwealth countries.
Being in Europe has enabled us to actively support Commonwealth interests, whether overturning an EU ban on Indian mangoes or securing better EU trade terms for Pakistan after floods in 2010 and 2011. The prime ministers of India, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have all said we are better off in.
People, rightly, have concerns about the impact of immigration but let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. EU nationals, like non-EU nationals, make a valuable contribution to our society, working hard, paying their way, setting up businesses and bringing up families who are as British as they are loyal to their home countries.
What we want is a system that is fair — not a free for all. That is why we must make sure that there is no undercutting of wages; that those who are here are here to work; and that services are strong enough to adapt to the arrival of newcomers.
Every single credible economic institution has forecast that our economy would take a hit; that we could return to recession, which would see people lose their jobs.
Do we really think that Ukip, which wants to abolish anti-discrimination law and has sought to bring xenophobia into British political debate and culture, and Boris Johnson, who wants to scrap workers’ rights, will defend Britain’s minority communities? Of course not.
A vote to remain is not just a vote to keep Ukip and Johnson at bay. It’s a vote for a brighter future. Three million jobs are linked to our trade with the EU — and 8,00,000 will be created thanks to Europe in the coming years.
Our voice in the world is louder from within the EU, whether in fighting terrorism, tackling climate change or peacekeeping. Britain’s ethnic minority communities are stronger, safer and better off in Europe.