James O'Brien doesn't get why Keir Starmer is pretending immigration is 'bad' | LBC

Amid warnings from advisers that Keir Starmer's plans to reduce net migration "may not work," James O'Brien considers why the Prime Minister remains so convinced that immigration is inherently a "bad thing."

"He's bought the idea that bringing down migration is a good thing without explaining why," James emphasizes.

"What you don’t have, now, is any honesty at all in the conversation about immigration," he adds.

The Starmer government has committed to cutting net migration — the balance between people entering and leaving the UK — keeping the issue front and centre in Britain’s ongoing immigration debates.

#jamesobrien #immigration #LBC #keirstarmer #labour #ukpolitics

LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.

[johanleclerc]

Foreign skilled worker perspective here:
I am about the type of immigrant you describe (and I say am an immigrant, not an expat as they are the same thing) oversized fiscal contribution (just the visa fees and NHS surcharge make me go beyond the AVG British adult).
I thing the point you miss is the perception that people have of the UK immigration system:
They don't realise how complex and expensive it is for immigrants to get the right to live and work in the UK. (I'm only doing it because of my British wife).
When I tell people how much I struggled, the costs, the wrong advice from the home office., etc. They cannot believe it.
And what they don't realise either is that when the government tries to reduce the number of immigrants, it is going after people like me, by doubling income threshold, increasing charges, etc. Because the levers to reduce our numbers are very obvious and simple. Not like the ones for illegal immigration or refugees, which are much more complex.
So when they reduce immigration overall they actually disproportionately reduce the positive economic impacts of migration because they go after the people who contribute the most.
It's like shooting yourself in the foot but with one foot above the other so the bullet goes through both feet.

[RobertThomson-ym]

So, did dentists, Doctors and nurses arrive last year? Is that the argument?

[Shockfactorclips]

James is so set in his ideas that he refuses to acknowledge the counter arguments. So left wing that this borders on propaganda not journalism. A journalist is open to both sides of a story.

[iamthenomadk]

I'm a skilled English worker who is currently economically inactive and living on benefits as I go through chemotherapy and try to survive my potentially life ending cancer. The treatment is 90% administered by immigrant nurses, whom I'm very grateful for

[gerryrr]

Mad how all of europe is wrong and James is right

[neiljones]

Of all the mugs who voted labour this guy is top mug

[BEEINLONDON]

James is absolutely blind to the current situation and is embarrassing himself, the British people have got a problem with the illegal immigration only.

[Chiefmismaker]

No wonder people watch GB News. This grumbler is just dull.

[PaulSkeet-pmuz]

No one has a problem with sensible immigration we have been overloaded schools jobs roads houseing pensions I rest my case !

[davidscott]

James is hopeless rambling on with his waffle.

[akwamarsunzal]

O'Brien's monologues are often rambling and full of out of context stats but this one is confused and rather nonsensical. I guess he hasn't listened to the Labour leadership declaring that immigtation target is 2.5 millon, that they are going to build 1.5 million homes yet, as Rayner has recently said there is no housing crisis in the UK!

[keefwolfson]

Poor old O'Brien, looking more unwell as the days go on. Must be down to Brexit, or Farage, or Tate or Trump.

[chrisgcolling]

Legal immigration for genuine refugees or skilled labour isn’t something people have a problem with.
Boat loads of men breaking the law to just get here is not ok. It’s illegal!!!!
Even if James supports it. Does not make it right I’m afraid

[julianr]

James, if 60 million immigrants were allowed in, at what point do you stop saying ‘we need an honest conversation’ and just accept there is a tipping point. And stop conflating immigration with illegal immigration. James, when’s your wedding day with Kier?

[Estelle-bdqd]

Doctors, scientists and engineers coming over everyday soon we will have too many skilled overseas workers

[paulwbafc]

I am an industrial maintenance fitter. I did my apprenticeship at MG Rover Longbridge and was there until the factory closed. I left the UK in 2008. Work in Queensland at various places. Plenty of work here, and I get approached for work these days. Last few years I have earned on average $150k. £75k. On days shifts with a little overtime. From what I have seen I would not make that in the UK. My wife is in a senior office administration on around $90k £45k. My son is an avionics engineer now, he was 10 when we left uk. My daughter is a registered nurse working towards her masters. She is on double the NHS nurses doing 4 of 8 hour shifts a week.
The skills drain works the other way too.

[james]

How many skilled workers are we getting out of that 900k?

[houseguest]

James is honestly the worst broadcaster on LBC and the perfect example of what's wrong with the UK actually he really shouldn't be allowed to spread his nonsense on the radio at all!!!!

[UKFirst]

Only 16% work so as a whole its a net drain you plumb James

[maddog]

James O’Brien is a rich boy, who doesn’t understand the real world.