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"End the free movement of people, once and for all" ... what a grim statement to emphasise. We already have a point based system, purpose of brexit should be a truly global trading nation which means a very liberal immigration policy and the investment that is needed ->
so by all means emphasise how the existing immigration policy disadvantaged non EU nationals, how it is unjust in nature and how we need to create a liberal policy that welcomes everyone to the UK ... but to start with "ending free movement" ... bad messaging.
Of course, the real issue with immigration is that we don't invest in it i.e. we need to build the services from infrastructure to health to education to policing in order support a larger population. This takes time and all these areas have been cut back due to austerity ...
i.e. on the occasions when I do go door to door and chat with people, what has been abundantly clear is the overwhelming majority have no issue with immigration, they just have issues that they can't get to see their doctor or get their kids into a local school etc ...
... the problem has never been immigration, it has been austerity and the lack of investment to support immigration and local services. No point system will fix this.
And that's what the messaging should be about ... investment in immigration, investment in local services to support this, creating a more liberal policy, encouraging a more global outlook to the UK ... not "ending" anything or a "point based" systems. Think bigger.
