Liberal Democrats soft on immigration (25Apr10)

[ShowPolitics]

liarpoliticains, do you insist the LibDems are soft on everything?

[jimmypubeface23]

lying bastards

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

I personally hate the idea quite passionately. You like it, and you have portrayed your argument in a clear and polite way. I apologise if I came across as a bit of a hothead in the way I presented myself here. Immigration is one of the only topics that annoys me to the extent that sometimes I can see that I might come across as a bit of a lunatic!!

[DaveWoody07]

@GoldenbanjoDJ Was just about to say the same thing, it's clear we're never going to agree but your opinion is just as valid as mine and at least we had a debate as a pose to an argument.

[DaveWoody07]

It may be rewarding them in some small way for doing the wrong thing which I agree is a downside to this policy but it'd much better for us as a society which is by far the most important aspect. Also, this is't coming from Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems they're just building upon something that's already in place as mentioned in the video.

[Counterrevolutionite]

Tear up the Jewman "Rights" Act, go door to door and drive the invaders out. Like you would in any war if an army of foreigners invaded a country.

[RAJfromGOA]

Good idea,

Shops and restaurants owner will suffer as they no longer can hire staff for £3p/hour everyone will pay taxes which will contribute for the economy imagine 1million people paying taxes.I wish liberal democrat all success in this election.

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

"deport people when he doesn't know where they live"....

Yes, but I assume the people themselves know where they live...

Drop them off in Calais they can go back the way they came! Solved!

You might think you have solved a problem here and now (though I don't really see how a simple change in status to 'citizen' would make any difference at all...it's like in Kingdom of Heaven when Balain makes everyone a knight just for the craic) but you've set a precedent for system abuse in the future.......

[DaveWoody07]

@GoldenbanjoDJ The people know where they live but they're not going to turn up and volunteer to be deported surely?

A change to full citizenship would mean they pay taxes and they'd be legally employable which is a big difference. Also, like he said in the interview, this would be a one off thing so there can't be any system abuse in the future.

I think it's a decent idea if it's implemented properly and they improve border control at the same time.

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

@DaveWoody07

Well I suppose they wouldn't turn up to the docks. I wonder how the police every day manage to close in and capture criminals? The same tactics can surely be applied for tracking down the illegal immigrants? I'm not asking them to all turn up in Portsmouth on 5th June 2010 at 10:00 - I'm wanting them to be brought there and actively shipped back. It would not be a free will decision that can be made.

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

I'm not bothered about them becoming legal citizens or the 'benefits' this would bring. They have come here illegally and they should not be rewarded for this. They have done nothing to deserve it and have been a wasteful drain on resources since they crossed the channel.This would just show how feeble the British are. It would make a mockery out of our country and I am not suprised for one second that this sort of craic is coming from Nick Clegg and the lib dems. Something has to give.

[DaveWoody07]

Well I'm not denying it'd be impossible to track them down but the fact that there is no record that they even exist in this country makes it much more difficult than catching criminals. I doubt they've been a big drain on resources considering they are not eligable for health care, benefits, housing etc. The point is that while ever they're illegal they're still here but way out in the fringes. Why not take advantage of their skills and get them contributing to our country?

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

@DaveWoody07

Yes the record makes it more difficult to catch them. But if there is no record of a person who you find, then therefore, logically, they are the people you are looking for. The very fact they are here is a record that they are here, and a missing gap in the records higlight this as well as a record that states they are here does. Do you think that a pretty socialist country like Britain, where healthcare is 'free' turn people away? This isn't the American system.

[DaveWoody07]

@GoldenbanjoDJ I have no idea if they turn people away, but logically the fact they can't provide valid identification makes it unlikely they go to the NHS in the first place. I definately don't think they're a "wasteful drain on resources".

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

@GoldenbanjoDJ

They don't turn them away at all. I feel that it is a drain on resources. I know they are people and it might seem insensitive to think of people in this way, but we should be realistic and realise that the country can't prop up people, whilst at the same time acknowledging that giving illegal immigrants earned citizenship is a kick in the teeth for our country in terms of morality and justice.

[JKyWd]

That host is an idiot!

of corse u cant stop immigrants moving around the country, but why would they move around when they wont be able to get a job?! he's just not getting it!

[punkpeacock88]

I hate it when interviewers don't let the interviewee finish their sentences.

[Jtking3000]

LOL, he might as well just say hes letting in more people.

[afare1]

Id say this is pragmatic rather than soft but i suppose there is a thin line. But what i would say is that you should be cautious of the so called tougher stance on immigration by the other two, don't be alluded by their vague, emotional provoking hard claims about 'getting them out'. They don't go into as much detail on how exactly they are going to it, evidently not as much as Clegg.

[ProcyonAlpha]

I've got an idea, how about an amnest for all illegal immigrants in the UK, ask them all to arrive at different centres to apply for their passport then arrest them and dump them in the sea.

[weyesyouno]

@ProcyonAlpha

hilarious.

that comment literally could make the dictionary entry for "fascism"

[krayzeeryan]

@8:40 now why didnt you say that in the debate Dick Smegg.

[krayzeeryan]

its a one off.

yea, im sure.