Letters: Why I’ll vote for Boris

A bad idea

Sir: Your editorial in favour of an amnesty for illegal immigrants (‘The case for amnesty’, 9 November) flies in the face of extensive evidence. Italy, Spain and France have, between them, granted any number of amnesties; almost without exception, each one prompted further waves of illegal immigration. In 2005 the French Interior Minister said further amnesties were out of the question. His German counterpart in the same year said that ‘wide-ranging campaigns to legalise illegal immigrants such as in Spain mean more illegal immigrants are drawn to Europe’.

Your editorial avoids any mention of the potential risks to life highlighted by the recent tragic events, and suggests that a ten-year rule would have little effect on inflows. Yet if there is a considerable draw with no such prospect, its announcement can only increase the draw.

Illegal immigration is a serious concern to 77 per cent of the public (according to a project28.eu poll conducted in 2018). The inclusion of an amnesty in the Conservative manifesto could only add to doubts as to whether they are serious about reducing the current levels of immigration.
Alp Mehmet

Chairman, Migration Watch UK, London SW1

Or a good one?

Sir: It’s heartening to see a prominent publication on the centre-right set out the arguments for offering citizenship to illegal immigrants. The most common objection — that such a move would encourage further illegal inflows — is simply not borne out by the best economic evidence. Rather, it would be a sensible measure to boost the economy, prevent exploitation, cut crime and encourage integration. I hope that more conservatives and free market liberals such as myself will voice their support in the coming months.
Daniel Pryor

Head of Programmes, Adam Smith Institute, London SW1

Why I’ll vote for Boris

Sir: Tanya Gold (‘Utterly betrayed’, 9 November) is correct in her analysis of the anti-Semitism that pervades every corner of Corbyn’s Labour party.