Lib Dems set out a different course on immigration from Conservatives – and Labour

The Independent reports on more differences between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats over immgiration:

Nick Clegg will attempt to strike free from the Conservatives on immigration this week by declaring that the Liberal Democrats are Britain’s “only real internationalist party” – the only one that does not “meet every visitor with automatic suspicion”.

In a pointed response to David Cameron’s fresh crackdown on immigrants through the benefits system last week, the Deputy Prime Minister will say in a speech that his party has fought to end the “barbaric” practice of child detention, by enshrining the ban in the Immigration Act, and that it wants Britain to be outward facing. “If you come here, if you play your part, Britain will give you a chance,” he will say…

In his speech, Mr Clegg will emphasise that he favours a “firm but fair, tough but smart” immigration system. The “firm” measures include new plans to crack down on sham marriages, while one of the “fair” policies is to ensure that employers pay migrants at least the minimum wage.

But in remarks intended to differentiate his party from the Conservatives, Mr Clegg will say: “It should come as no surprise that I’m a believer in the benefits of a well-managed immigration system. I lead, in my view, Britain’s only real internationalist party. For the Liberal Democrats this nation is always at its best when we are open and outward facing”.

Labour, however, are lining up with the Conservatives on immigration as the Shropshire Star reports:

A Labour government could withhold out-of-work benefits from European Union (EU) migrants until they have paid into the system through National Insurance, shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves has said.

Ms Reeves’ comments come a day after shadow chancellor Ed Balls indicated a shift towards a harder line on immigration, saying that he backs “fair movement, not free movement” for EU citizens coming to the UK.

Their interventions – part of a summer offensive ordered by Ed Miliband to draw clear lines with the Conservatives in the run-up to next year’s general election – will be seen as an effort to win support back from the UK Independence Party, which has been picking up on concerns about immigration to eat into Labour’s traditional working-class vote.