A responsible government has a duty to protect our borders. We must know who is coming in and who is going out of the country, at our airports and ports.

Let’s welcome those who have high level skills and talents that we need — such as doctors, engineers, software developers, scientists and surgeons — in tightly controlled numbers that meet our requirements. We want these valuable people to come and work in the UK legally, and play by the rules, respecting our values. 

This must not be an excuse, however, for cheaper labour that reduces wages in the UK, nor must it be an excuse for not training our wonderful young people.

Illegal immigration is unacceptable and must not be granted asylum in the UK. The vile people smugglers running the dangerous, illegal routes, such as across the English Channel, must be stopped. People smugglers should be given very long prison sentences. 

Everyone must know that no one coming via these illegal routes will be allowed to stay in the UK. Cases must be determined in just a few weeks and people returned to where they came from. The cost to the taxpayer is already billions every year and the impact on local communities around the country is very significant. However most people who are concerned are afraid to speak out on this issue in what is effectively a restraint on free speech.

We must have a zero tolerance attitude to illegal immigration.