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TRANSPORT workers attacked Labour’s policy on immigration yesterday, demanding that the party stop “jumping on the bandwagon” of right-wing propaganda and help campaign against racism and Ukip-peddled myths.
The TSSA conference saw fiery speeches for and against the party’s “obsession” with immigration controls.
A bid to delete from a motion the line “conference is also disappointed that the Labour Party has taken little effective action in trying to combat racist views,” failed after shouting from the floor.
South-east Kent delegate Ian McDonald said: “Those who within the EU come here to work pay taxes here and, given their youth and good health, make very little demand on the NHS. Welfare benefits, on the other hand, cost £164 billion a year — and the greatest amount is taken by UK citizens.
“There’s also no legible costs to the economy of EU immigrants losing their jobs and claiming benefits here, rather than returning home — an obsession that Ukip and now shamefully Labour have latched onto.
“Labour’s reaction to all this negative propaganda was to jump on this bandwagon instead of confronting the electorate with some more serious, rational facts.
“We need a pledge from Labour that they will, in future, counter the lies and myths about immigration.
“I am afraid that this is why so many voters went the whole hog supporting Ukip.”
The motion was carried unanimously.
joanaramiro@peoples-press.com
