As longtime supporters of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of Labour, we are heartened by the bold shift in tone from the party’s leadership on immigration. In his speech on Monday (Report, 27 February), Corbyn was unequivocal that bosses and the political elite, not migrants, are to blame for falling wages and failing public services – and that the solution is stronger trade unions and investment. In a speech last week, Diane Abbott set out the beginnings of a rights-based immigration policy, rooted in humanity and realism.
This is a much much-needed push to change the conversation on immigration – and it is vital that Labour backs it up with policy. If Britain remains in a customs union with the EU but does not retain free movement rights, we will be welcoming the products, but not the people who make them. A Labour government, led by principled advocates of migrants’ rights, could lead the world in building an immigration system that prioritises the rights of all workers – wherever they are from – and strengthening social protections, public investment and trade unions. Free movement is the only way to guarantee the rights of workers and migrants – and Labour must defend and extend it.
Manuel Cortes TSSA general secretary
Mark Serwotka PCS general secretary
Ronnie Draper BFAWU general secretary
Ian Hodson BFAWU president
Julie Ward MEP
Sahaya James Momentum national coordinating group
Rida Vaquas Young Labour national committee
Michael Chessum Labour Campaign for Free Movement
Luke Cooper Another Europe is Possible
Ana Oppenheim NUS national executive
Paul Mackney Former general secretary of UCU-NAFTHE
Hugh Lanning Alliance for Free Movement
Niccolo Milanese Director of European Alternatives
John Palmer Former political director of the European Policy Centre
Sam Fowles Foreign Policy Centre
Salman Shaheen Journalist
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
