Nigel Farage: Immigration Key Issue In EU

Nigel Farage, UKIP Leader

 Speaking at a major Brexit conference in London, the Ukip leader will warn that a vote to stay in the EU will mean that migrant numbers will soar to new record levels.

He will point out that the EU is being pushed to accept Turkey as a new member by the British and German governments, while Bosnia's application is also being actively considered, opening Britain up to almost 80million economic migrants.

The major intervention comes as the Daily Express' online poll has attracted more than 106,000 votes with 92 per cent saying they want Britain to free itself from Brussels rule.

And in a further boost to the Brexit campaign one of Britain's most high profile companies Tate and Lyle Sugars has announced that it believes the country should vote to leave the EU and dismissed David Cameron's membership renegotiation.

The company's senior vice president Gerald Mason has said that if more significant reform is not forthcoming "we are absolutely certain that our business and people who work in it would have a more secure future outside the EU."

His comments make a mockery of claims by Britain Stronger in Europe (BSE) that a Brexit would spell economic disaster for the UK.

And in his speech Mr Farage will warn that the UK will not be able to cope with the surge of migrants if it stays in the EU.

He will be speaking at the 'The Good Life after Brexit: How Britain will be safer leaving the EU - and what comes next' conference which will issue a rallying call for Britain to quit the EU and seize the opportunity afforded by the restoration of national independence.

Mr Farage will explain that the inclusion of Turkey in the EU will allow its population of 75 million to come to Britain along with the millions of Syrian migrants who are in refugee camps there.

Meanwhile there have been reports that Bosnia with a population of 3.8 million is being infiltrated by Islamic State terrorists who are buying property there and would be free to come to the UK if it is allowed into the EU.

Mr Farage will say: "It is clear that immigration is the number one issue and concern for the British people and will be the defining issue of this EU referendum campaign.

"The fact that we can only control our borders if we leave the European Union, that we can only ever get an Australian-style points system as an independent country outside of the EU is clearly an argument that has massive appeal out there across the country."

He will remind the conference that Britain already has "record high levels of migration running at a completely unsustainable third of a million net per year" which he will point out is already "placing huge pressure on social cohesion and on our national infrastructure."

However, he will warn that a vote to stay in the EU will make the situation even worse.

He will say: "But a vote in this referendum to Remain in the EU is likely to see a Britain with even higher net migration levels in the years to come.

"Angela Merkel and David Cameron are both supporting Turkish membership of the EU which would mean open borders for 75 million Turks. Bosnia is formally applying to join the EU on the 15th February.

"And then we have the continually unstable situation in the euro zone which is likely to see another collapse, which would mean a surge of migrants to the UK especially given the minimum wage is being raised to the living wage and will act as an even bigger financial pull for EU migrants looking to come to Britain."

The conference has been organised by David Campbell Bannerman MEP, co-chairman of Conservatives for Britain.

In a shot across the bows of the European Commission, the conference will take place at the European Commission's UK headquarters in Smith Square, London, the former Conservative Party Headquarters.

Former Tory ministers Liam Fox, David Davis and John Redwood, Labour MP Graham Stringer, DUP's Iain Paisley Jr, Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliott and Leave.EU spokesman Brian Montieth will share a platform at the conference.

Mr Campbell Bannerman said: "This will be the first time the Leave campaign has come together on one stage to present a positive vision of a better life outside of the EU.

"People need to know what the alternative to EU membership will be. We believe Brexit will make us freer, happier, wealthier and safer. Britain just needs to have confidence in ourselves again.

"In short, Brexit means taking back control of our economy, our public services, our democracy and our borders - on all counts Britain will be more secure if we leave the EU."

David Maddox