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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Mikey Smith

General Election: Tories accused of 'pandering to Farage' on immigration policy

The Tories have been accused of “pandering to Nigel Farage” with their immigration policy.

It comes after days of confusion over the party’s approach to migration after senior figures appeared to disagree on policy.

Home Secretary Priti Patel last night pledged to cut immigration “overall”.

Just days before Boris Johnson appeared to row back on the promise, saying it “may” fall “in some sectors.”

And today Security Minister Brandon Lewis, a former immigration minister, confirmed the party’s policy is to “bring immigration down” - but he said the Tories would not “set arbitrary targets”.

Brandon Lewis (Getty Images)

Labour ’s Jonathan Ashworth said: “Every single general election the Tory immigration minister gets wheeled out to say this.

“Have they ever delivered it? Have they heck. I mean, do you believe him? I don’t.”

But he wouldn’t say whether Labour wanted migration to go up or down, adding they want a “balanced, fair approach” rather than “arbitrary targets.”

And Lib Dem Home Affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine accused the party of pandering to Nigel Farage with their immigration position.

She said: “Pledging to cut immigration is just more evidence that the Tories are pandering to the likes of Farage in their lurch to the far right. 

“Equally the Labour Party continue to fail to be any sort of form of opposition, with Jonathan Ashworth refusing to say what Labour's immigration policy is.”

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