Let’s take back control of our immigration

THOUGH it was by no means the sole reason for the referendum result, stricter control of our borders was a major factor in why many millions voted for Brexit.

The explicit manifesto promise of lower migration also persuaded so many to back the Tories at the 2019 general election.

Today, those voters would be forgiven for feeling deceived and disillusioned. Rather than stemming the tide, the solemn pledge to ‘take back control’ seems to have meant runaway levels of immigration.

Net annual migration has soared to a record 504,000 – equivalent to a city the size of Liverpool. A staggering 1.1million foreigners moved here in the last year.

Disturbingly, that doesn’t even include the thousands of Channel migrants arriving illegally and with impunity.

Of course, some of the influx was down to Britain extending the hand of friendship to those fleeing war and persecution in Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

But even without these refugees, the sheer numbers coming here beggar belief.

Let us be crystal clear: The Mail is in no way against immigration. Indeed, the vast majority of migrants make a huge contribution to our economy and society.

But the UK has a chronic housing shortage, and the NHS, social services, schools and public transport are creaking. How on earth will we cope with the extra demand?

Yet outrageously, the Left still claim migration is too low, while business leaders seem unable to quench their insatiable thirst for cheap foreign labour.

Meanwhile the asylum system is buckling, and Tony Blair’s human rights laws mean it’s virtually impossible to deport foreign criminals and illegal immigrants.

Our immigration system has failed completely. Yes, Rishi Sunak is considering a visa clampdown. But this is too little too late. The Tories have had 12 years to sort this out – and have failed miserably.

Risibly, Labour claims only it can be trusted to repair the broken system. This from a party that over 13 years in government let uncontrolled immigration on an historic scale change for ever the country’s social and cultural landscape.

But something has to give. No one voted for mass immigration on this scale.

Unless the Tories tackle the crisis, their days in power will soon be numbered.