Cable accuses Brown and Cameron of 'Population hysteria'

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 30th Oct 2007

Acting Leader of the Lib Dems, Vince Cable, today attacked Gordon Brown and David Cameron for their recent policies regarding immigration and employment. Speaking at the launch of a new CentreForum book Dr Cable accused both Labour and the Conservatives of creating a climate of population hysteria.

Vince Cable said "Gordon Brown's demand for 'British jobs for British workers' is cynical populism from someone who encouraged EU immigration to support his economic boom. The Conservatives are also playing on public concerns, promising to cut net immigration whilst somehow avoiding breaking EU rules or damaging British industries and academic institutions. It is essential that immigration is efficiently managed; that we have a properly resourced national border force; that local authorities are given the resources to plan for population changes; that English is promoted; and that long-term irregular residents are turned into law-abiding taxpayers."