Immigration issue grabs British front pages, divides opinion

The Independent, a left-of-centre newspaper, dedicated its first six pages of news to the story that about 427,000 eastern Europeans have come to Britain since May 2004, when they joined the EU.

The figures do not include self-employed workers, a category believed to cover many eastern Europeans in the building trade, and by some accounts, that contributes to making the overall number closer to 600,000. The government had initially predicted that about 20,000 would move to Britain for work.

The news has led to a widespread debate in Britain over whether it has accepted too many migrants, and whether it should leave its doors open to more.

The country's main opposition Conservative Party has called on the government to curb immigrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania when they join the EU, potentially as early as January next year.

Britain has yet to decide whether to slap restrictions on workers from Bulgaria and Romania when the two nations join the European Union, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said Monday.

While The Independent makes clear its support for the inflow of migrants -- on its front page, it features a map of Britain covered in various national flags, accompanied by the words, "we celebrate the people who have come here from all parts of the world to make Britain what it is today" -- other newspapers are less in favour of the large numbers moving over.

At the other end of the spectrum from The Independent sat the Daily Express, which dedicated its front page to the story, under the headline: "Get ready for the Romanian invasion".

Right-of-centre newspaper The Daily Telegraph worries for the strain migrants, and their dependants, will place on Britain's public services, commenting: "However hard-working, well qualified and virtuous many of the new migrant groups have proved themselves to be, they and their families need housing and healthcare, and their children need schooling."

"Bearing the brunt of this unexpected responsibility are local councils and council taxpayers."

The Sun, a right-of-centre tabloid, echoed The Daily Telegraph's concerns, calling on the government to "absorb the migrants we have before accepting any more", referring to the possibility of Bulgaria and Romania joining the EU.

Unlike most other EU member states, Britain has treated citizens from the newest EU member states like those from anywhere else in the bloc, respecting the right to free movement of workers over borders, and has yet to decide on whether to place restrictions on migrants from Bulgaria and Romania.

The Guardian, a left-of-centre paper, counsels against restrictions on workers from the two new member states, however, noting Britain's "waiving of immigration restrictions in 2004 strengthened east European alliances."

"Consigning Romania and Bulgaria to second-tier status would jeopardise these achievements."

"It should not be done lightly."

The Financial Times and The Times echo the views of The Guardian, with the former commenting: It would be a mistake for the UK to run scared just when other states are starting to see they have little to fear."

"The best outcome -- both for the UK and the EU -- is that as many states as possible open their doors to Romania and Bulgaria."

The Times, meanwhile, sums up its argument succinctly: "In short, immigration is working."