Documents Reveal Blair's Immigration Policy Decisions

Newly released documents reveal that senior ministers in Tony Blair's government, including Jack Straw and John Prescott, urged the Prime Minister to delay granting unrestricted access to the UK labor market for eastern European migrants ahead of the 2004 EU expansion. They warned of a potential surge in immigration and urged for transitional controls, unlike larger EU nations which opted for restrictions. Despite these concerns, Blair's government proceeded to open the borders, resulting in an influx of nearly 130,000 eastern European workers in the first year, far exceeding initial estimates. The decision has since been acknowledged as a significant error by former ministers, with Straw labeling it a 'spectacular mistake'. The situation contributed to rising immigration levels and anti-EU sentiment, culminating in the Brexit vote in 2016. This internal conflict within the cabinet highlights the contentious nature of immigration policy during that period.