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Public wants to see more constructive debate on migration issues, argues ippr

09 December 2009

Politicians must take a more constructive approach to discussing migration in the run up to the election, argues influential think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), on the day that the Home Secretary, Rt. Hon Alan Johnson, the Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling MP, and the Liberal Democrats Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne MP will have their first ever public debate on immigration at an event organised by ippr.

ippr has been carrying out new research into public attitudes towards migration, through a series of intensive workshops and public meetings in the West Midlands.  These show that while the public is concerned about the scale and pace of immigration over the last decade, their views on migration in the modern world are more moderate and balanced than the headlines often suggest.

ippr’s Head of Migration, Tim Finch, says:

“Our discussions with groups of the public in the West Midlands show that Punch and Judy show that passes for debate in the national media is regarded with contempt by ordinary people.  They have come to distrust almost everyone who speaks on this issue - government or opposition, all forms of media and campaigning groups on both the pro and anti sides. Even official statistics are not trusted. 

“We also found that while people are deeply worried about the extent of immigration into the UK in recent years and are keen to see it better managed and controlled, this does not mean they are anti-migration, or that they want the government to 'clamp down'. People generally admire migrants and see the benefits of well-managed migration. 

“ippr believes the time has now come to find a new way of discussing migration - openly, honestly and constructively. The polarised and divisive debate of recent years alienates decent mainstream people and only helps the extremists - what is needed is a new progressive consensus.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Immigration: Open Debate, Constructive Polices will be held on Wednesday 9 December from 17.00 – 18.30 at a Central London location.
   
2. In the first phase of its Communicating Migration programme ippr carried out research on public attitudes in the West Midlands, with public forums and deliberative workshops in Evesham, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. The results and analysis of this work are being presented at stakeholder workshops in Birmingham and London.

Contacts

Kelly O’Sullivan, Media Officer, 020 7470 6125 / 0775 719 289 / k.osullivan@ippr.org 
Tim Finch, Director of Strategic Communications, 020 7470 6106 / 07595 920 899 / t.finch@ippr.org