WESTMINSTER 2010: Party leaders debate the issues:BRITISH POLITICAL leaders clashed forcefully last night over future immigration policy in the first leaders' election debate, believed to have been watched by more than 10 million people.
Insisting that Labour’s immigration controls are working, prime minister Gordon Brown said the numbers coming to the UK have been falling over the last three years – though this figure has been disputed by the statistics authority. Tighter controls are necessary, he said, and they are being introduced. The UK will no longer accept unskilled labour from outside and will instead train British workers to take up jobs.
Conservative leader David Cameron took a noticeably stronger line, saying Labour had failed during its years of power and that an annual limit must be imposed.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said there “is good immigration and bad immigration” and the UK had to have freedom to take in the foreign workers it needed rather than impose an arbitrary cap that would have to be dropped.
Mr Brown insisted repeatedly that the policies favoured by Mr Cameron would tip the UK back into recession. The Conservatives’ cutback plans would take six billion pounds out of the British economy this year: “I say to this whole audience here and to the country: it’s important now not to take any risks with the economy.” Such measures would cut the numbers of police on British streets, he claimed, and other public services. Mr Cameron insisted that there is waste in the public system and that it can be cut.
In a strong performance Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg said: “Do not let anyone tell you that the only choice is the old politics. We can do something new, something different this time.” Taking full advantage of being on the same stage, Mr Clegg emphasised his party’s independence: “I don’t know about you, but the more they go on, the more they sound exactly the same.”
Mr Cameron demanded earlier treatment for drug addicts to cut down on crime, though Mr Brown said local communities will get legal rights to force police forces to perform better. Demanding tough community service orders for young offenders, Mr Clegg said the number of people being sent to jail for minor offences must be cut because they are graduating from “a college of crime”.
However, both Mr Brown and Mr Cameron seized on the Liberal Democrat’s declaration that he would not replace the Trident nuclear deterrent, with both insisting the UK must keep such a weapon for a changing world.
Mr Cameron paid warm tribute to the National Health Service and recounted how he had spent many nights in hospital wards with his son, Ivan, who died last year – though some Tories had cautioned him from raising his son’s death.
HOW THEY FARED
GORDON BROWN:
Performance: For most part managed to restrain his tendency to drown audience in figures. Looked serious, preacher-like with palms together.
Key moments:Claimed immigration had fallen over last three years, which is likely to cause him problems over coming days as UK Statistics Authority has already criticised Labour for using these figures.
Drove home the message that the Conservatives will cut public spending faster and deeper than Labour. Told viewers: “Don’t take the risk.”
The big phrase:"I agree with Nick."
DAVID CAMERON
Performance: Solid, though on occasions looked uncomfortable being in the middle with the offensives from Brown and Clegg on either side. Particularly fluid when speaking about government spending waste – the key dividing line between himself and Brown.
Key moments:Reminded audience about his privileged background when he said that his mother had been a magistrate for 30 years, though countered by emphasising that his children go to state schools. Mentioned death of his son, Ivan, which could provoke cynicism.
The big phrase:"Cut the waste, stop the tax, that's the right answer."
NICK CLEGG
Performance: Earnest, energetic and managed to put himself on a level playing field with the leaders of the two largest parties.
Key moment:Looked into the camera repeatedly to connect with viewers – a habit that has got politicians into difficulties in the past.
The big phrase:"Politicians have got to be straight with you."