Stephen Metcalfe, local Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock yesterday raised the issue of immigration during Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament.
During the last PMQs of the year, Stephen Metcalfe rose on the floor of the House of Commons and said: “Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is NOT “unhelpful” to discuss the concerns of voters in Basildon and Thurrock about border controls and immigration? And anyone who thinks that is, is out of touch, and perhaps they should be moved on.”
Stephen’s comments in Parliament follow the leaking of a document passed around amongst Labour Party members advising them to ‘move on’ from discussions around the issue of immigration when speaking to members of the public.
The Prime Minister David Cameron agreed with Stephen Metcalfe and said: “My hon. Friend is right. Our job as elected politicians is to respond to people’s concerns and to address them.”
Stephen Metcalfe later commented: “It is absolutely unforgivable that Labour are playing down the importance of having a sensible discussion on the subject of immigration and border control.”
“At the very moment that we as Members of Parliament should be voicing the British people’s concerns, these leaked documents show that Labour are hoping to ignore the issue entirely.”
“My Conservative colleagues and I remain dedicated to tackling these issues head-on.”
“I will certainly not be pulling any punches when it comes to voicing the opinions of the people of Basildon and Thurrock.”
