The decision in 2004 by Tony Blair’s New Labour government to allow unfettered access to the UK for citizens of the 8 central and east European EU newcomers has had monumentally important implications. Most other member states imposed transitional restrictions of up to 7 years. If Britain had done so too then it’s probably safe […]

We’re now two years into the MIGPROSP project and have conducted more than 200 interviews with “actors” in migration governance systems in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and South America. By actors we mean those who seek to make, shape or influence policy at local, national, regional or international level. We have amassed a huge amount […]

To call UKIP’s position on immigration a fully formed policy might be overstating things, but the parameters of the party’s approach have become a little clearer with a series of announcements made on the campaign trail. One thing is absolutely clear: UKIP wants to drastically reduce immigration. As news of spiking net migration figures were made public […]

David Cameron made a play for Eurosceptic hearts during his recent speech to the Conservative Party conference by promising to put the free movement of EU citizens at the heart of his renegotiation strategy in Europe. But Cameron kept the detail on this pledge light for a very good reason. Cutting the number of European […]

Can migration allow people in some of the poorest parts of the world to sustain their lives and livelihoods in the face of environmental and climate change?  Too often migration both within states and internationally is seen as a crisis, disaster or last resort. This is a mistake. Instead, it should be seen as a […]