#publisher alternate (BUTTON) Close Skip to main content sign in * Comment activity * Edit profile * Email preferences * Change password * Sign out become a supporter subscribe search jobs dating more from the guardian: * dating * jobs change edition: * switch to the UK edition switch to the US edition switch to the AU edition International * switch to the UK edition * switch to the US edition * switch to the Australia edition The Guardian * home * home * UK * world * sport * football * opinion * culture * business * lifestyle * fashion * environment * tech * travel browse all sections close Jeremy Corbyn The Observer Labour MPs urge Jeremy Corbyn to back two-tier EU immigration controls Senior MPs tell leader to protect EU workers but recognise ‘strength of feeling in the country’ about migration Stephen Kinnock has called for Labour to change its policy on immigration. Stephen Kinnock has called for Labour to change its policy on immigration. Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer Toby Helm, Observer political editor Saturday 7 January 2017 22.00 GMT Last modified on Wednesday 11 January 2017 18.31 GMT * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share via Email * (BUTTON) View more sharing options * Share on LinkedIn * Share on Pinterest * Share on Google+ * Share on WhatsApp * Share on Messenger * * (BUTTON) Close Senior Labour MPs have called on Jeremy Corbyn to back a new two-tier system of controls on EU migration or risk seeing the party slide into irrelevance in the eyes of the British public. In the latest sign of tension in the party over the issue, the MPs, backed by several former shadow cabinet members, argue that a “progressive, fair and managed” migration system would be in line with Labour values and address the concerns of millions of voters. The demands come as Labour prepares to fight a vital byelection in Copeland, Cumbria, triggered by the resignation of its MP, Jamie Reed, who won the seat with a majority over the Tories of only 2,564 at the last general election. With concerns about immigration bound to feature strongly in the campaign, many high-ranking Labour figures believe both the Tories and Ukip will capture large numbers of Labour voters as a result of Corbyn’s refusal to recognise the need for limits on free movement as the country heads for Brexit. If Labour were to lose Copeland to the Tories in the election, which is expected to be held in March, it would be the first time an incumbent governing party had won a seat from the opposition since 1982. Writing for the Observer, the Labour MPs Stephen Kinnock and Emma Reynolds insist that the “mixed messages” from Labour over immigration are proving “deeply corrosive” of voters’ trust. They insist that it is time to unite behind a credible approach that recognises the strength of feeling in the country about rising immigrant numbers, while protecting UK and European workers and the economy. Announcing their blueprint for change – with support from senior figures, including the party’s former policy chief and MP for Dagenham, Jon Cruddas, and former shadow cabinet members Rachel Reeves and Caroline Flint – they say Labour should press Theresa May to put a two-tier system of controls at the heart of Brexit negotiations. Tier one would include highly skilled individuals such as doctors, teachers and engineers, who would be admitted to take on specific jobs. EU students with a place at British universities would also be included in this tier. Tier two would be made up of low-skilled and semi-skilled EU workers, whose numbers would be limited by sector-based quotas, negotiated between government, industry and trade unions. These sectors would include agriculture, food processing, retail, construction and hospitality. Kinnock and Reynolds believe that the plan would be both economically sensible and politically wise, allowing the UK government to show flexibility in Brexit talks – by accepting a measure of free movement – and as a result increase the chances of the other 27 European Union nations granting substantial access to the single market in return. “It is imperative that Mrs May changes direction in 2017,” they say. “Failure to do so would lead our country into a ‘hard Brexit’, inflicting huge damage on the economy, jobs and living standards across the country.” A growing number of Labour politicians are now calling for some form of managed EU migration. Last week the former shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, launching a cross-party report on social integration, said a balance had to be struck between the views of Brexit hardliners and progressive politicians on the centre and centre left. “If we seek to align ourselves with people approaching this immigration issue who say ‘shut the borders, all of the problems in our country are caused by immigrants’, that will simply be a betrayal of our values and we may as well pack up and go home,” he said. “But equally, if we deny that population change poses a challenge to communities, then the communities we represent will feel that we have got our heads in the sand.” Cruddas said the plans put forward by Kinnock and Reynolds were “just the sort of ideas we should be looking at”, while Flint, a former minister for Europe, added: “For years, Labour sidestepped public concern about immigration under successive leaders. It was just too uncomfortable. Now Labour has to get real. “It is ridiculous that Labour, a party that has supported regulation of businesses and markets, would want no limits on an open-door EU labour market. Backing fair controls on immigration is entirely in keeping with Labour values. Labour has an opportunity to put forward a case for a preferential labour migration scheme – or risk being ignored during these crucial Brexit negotiations.” Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, has said the number of foreign nationals coming to the UK “should be reduced”, as has Andy Burnham, the former cabinet minister and now Labour’s candidate to become mayor of Manchester. But Corbyn and his close ally, the shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, have refused to back any limits or quotas. __________________________________________________________________ More news Topics * Jeremy Corbyn * Immigration and asylum * Labour * Stephen Kinnock __________________________________________________________________ * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share via Email * Share on LinkedIn * Share on Pinterest * Share on Google+ * Share on WhatsApp * Share on Messenger * Reuse this content View all comments > (BUTTON) Order by * (BUTTON) newest * (BUTTON) oldest * (BUTTON) recommendations (BUTTON) Show 25 * (BUTTON) 25 * (BUTTON) 50 * (BUTTON) 100 * (BUTTON) All (BUTTON) Threads * (BUTTON) collapsed * (BUTTON) expanded * (BUTTON) unthreaded Loading comments… Trouble loading? 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