I have been thinking recently that this whole immigration debate has been completely focused on the "pull factors" for immigrants coming to Britian and how we're seen a "soft touch" and how our "large benefits attract people" etc etc. Many Lib Dems have critised their comments but I want to actually talk about another approach we should consider along side. The "Push" factors that lead to people wanting to leave their country.
The people who are influenced most by Push factors seam to the ones who people are most upset with. Most people accept that "genuine asylum seekers" should be allowed in, but its all the non genuine ones we don't want. Having known people who have gone through this process it is not easy to prove that you need asylum, (if this system isn't seen as far by those seeking asylum then it actually would encourage them to disobey it and to go on the run, especially those who are genuinely at risk. Though this is a side track) so the number of "failed asylum seekers" might well be higher than it actually should be based on their genuine need. In addition to this instead of saying that it's a good idea to make it harder for them to come to Britain surely we should seek to improve the situation in their home country. If we seek to promote peace, to encourage developing economies (in environmental ways so their development doesn't cost as much to the environment) then we would see a dramatic drop in movements in to our country.
In addition to this it would also encourage further migration away from Britain by people who have sought asylum in the past and from British people seeking opportunities further afield.
HOWEVER the biggest reason is that in itself it is a good goal, the change in immigration should be a by product to promoting good peace and quality in the life in other countries.
I find it very depressing that in the current debate there has been a complete focus on making the pull factors less appealing and not discussing the Push factors at all.
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