Thank you for summarising.
There are some big claims from the author though aren't there. If the plan was to transform Britain into a multicultural society, why not try to influence migration to less culturally diverse places? Most of the non-White/non EU immigration was just into places who already had immigrant populations.
One of the sources so often quoted disputes ever saying there was a grand plan based on multiculturalism.
Andrew Neather says remarks over Nick Griffin TV appearance, raised by Tories in Commons, were twisted out of all recognition
theguardian.com
Because, despite the general premise that they were a highly organised and effective government, they were all over the place once the “cool brittania” party and honeymoon had finished. The plan wasn’t actioned as well as it could be.
What they did specifically do was reduce the hurdles you needed to get through to claim asylum in the UK, there were a very large number of people, under New Labour, who came when the restrictions were lowered, who were economic migrants. It was definitely pre planned and they knew they were doing it. Bower’s book doesn’t claim to know how many in total but inside New Labour there were many voices of concern of this policy and the breakdown of trust towards asylum seekers from the public.
It’s important to note that Bower is an author that is a critique of individuals, it’s what he does, however the amount of quotes and sources cited is astonishing. He details conversations between Blair and Straw, as well as Brown and Blair because his sources include Cabinet Members.
Bower was a Blairite, he voted for him 3 times and he said it was one of his most difficult writings, as he loved Blair at the time.
He’s just written one on Johnson last year, called “the gambler”, I am going to read that soon, once I have finished what I want to in the Bible.
To offer some balance against my heavy criticisms of New Labour’s immigration policy, I happen to have admiration for how they managed the economy, before the financial crash, which wasn’t their fault obviously. That approach of private market with strong public sector and significant safety net for those that need it is my economic vision for the country.
I just cannot stand the immigration and liberal social policy.
Will leave Iraq out of it for now as we’ll be here all month.