Mercy for Newcomers

When it comes to asylum and immigration, paramount for the Christian Peoples Alliance is the biblical injunction to love our neighbour, whether they are a refugee or a guest worker.

Millions of people on all continents are fleeing their homes and countries. The social, economic and political factors behind these mass movements - persecution, human rights abuses, economic deprivation and environmental disasters - are certain to increase as globalisation and global warming accelerates and more and more countries close their doors to the fleeing dispossessed.

Relatively few refugees seek life and support from prosperous countries. As many people are internally displaced, or live as refugees in neighbouring countries we will ensure help reaches them where they are. The CPA will legislate for full protection of asylum seekers in the UK, treating them equally and recognising their human rights and dignity. Justice must work both ways. Unfounded claimants will be returned to the country of their embarkation.

Where possible, we will encourage the placement of asylum seekers with families, rather than the alienating environment of hostels. Newcomers to Britain will be required to understand and commitment themselves to British democratic values, language and culture. We will combat the criminal trafficking and sexual abuse of women and children by coming down hard on those controlling so-called 'sex industries'.

Illiberal measures will be replaced by common sense policies, such as 24-hour surveillance at all ports of entry and the re-introduction of embarkation controls at the ports so that it is known when and if someone who has entered the country has left.