Dangerous Politics

11.47.53am GMT Mon 24th Jan 2005

"Placing refugees at the heart of debate during the forthcoming General Election is dangerous politics" according to South Dorset Lib Dems Parliamentary Spokesperson Graham Oakes.

"Britain has a long and honourable tradition of sheltering people fleeing tyranny and it would be impossible to maintain that tradition and apply some arbitrary number to the number of refugees allowed in each year."

"The Tories are playing a dangerous game and risk causing tensions within the country in a desperate attempt to gain support."

"They are also in a muddle. Michael Howard says he would put a fixed limit on immigration, yet hours later the Tory Party Chairman, David Davies says cases would be treated on their individual merit."

"The number of refugees has fallen over the past two years, but the Tories national phone poll has found concern about immigration, so choosing to ignore the facts they have made these silly statements."

"The amount of people leaving Britain is not much smaller than the number entering, so the net effect is negligible. Just choosing to publicise the number of people entering Britain is choosing to deliberately mislead and frighten people."

"This is just another reason why the Tories are not fit to govern Britain or represent South Dorset."