Paul Brighton says BNP has NO REAL ANSWERS

9.49.40am GMT Thu 25th Mar 2010

March 2010

Dear Sir/Madam

Alyn&Deeside: Immigration:

The forthcoming General Election will inevitably generate much discussion and debate and one of the key issues,both nationally in Wales and the UK and locally, in Alyn&Deeside, will be that of immigration and asylum seekers. This issue is being increasingly reflected in the letters and comment columns of local newspapers and the media.

Whatever the arguments and there are some who wish to spread mischief and alarm as to these issues, one thing is clear, this is NOT a simple question and will NOT be solved by simplistic policies, or solutions, born out of prejudice, malice, intolerance and downright lies. The issue is also aggravated by the fact that many citizens feel threatened by current economic insecurity, cultural anxiety and political alienation: hence allegations that immigrants are taking the jobs of UK workers, that parts of the UK are being swamped - and from mainstream politicians, it is alleged, all one gets are weasel words.

The facts are that immigrants, in many cases, fulfil a vital role economically, often undertaking jobs shunned by UK workers. As a result of this, Lib Dems have argued, immigrants, along with their skills and expertise, should be directed to areas where there is a clear need and job requirements are paramount.Here, locally, workers in Alyn& Deeside are NOT losing their jobs because of an influx of immigrants, rather because of the serious downturn in the UK economy, as a consequence of the banking crisis, excessive debt, mistaken government policies and the global situation.

Further, the UK government not only has to have accurate statistical data as to those arriving, but also for those leaving,i.e. we count them in and we count them out. The majority of immigrants are, in fact, students from the S. Hemisphere, here for a temporary period of time.

As regards asylum seekers, we have, in the UK, always prided ourselves in providing shelter to those escaping persecution and this should continue, in line with our international obligations. However, those arriving with criminal intent, should be removed forthwith!

I realize that many fellow citizens in Alyn& Deeside and especially those unemployed, feel threatened and might be lured by simplistic and racially driven policies of some, such as the BNP. But these people have NO real answers, when push comes to shove and any fool can trade on blind prejudice and distortions of the factual situation, rather than reasoned argument.Thus what we need is a rational debate, with rational solutions and policies that are inclusive and all-encompassing ,for ALL the peoples of these islands.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Brighton ( Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate: Alyn& Deeside )