Yet Labour still refuses to face up to the implications of its loss of control over immigration. Mr Miliband said the UK should insist upon the “maximum transitional controls” on workers from new EU member states. But these expire at the end of the year for Romania and Bulgaria, so what is he proposing to do about them? Furthermore, how does Labour intend to counter the magnetic effect of generous welfare benefits in the UK? This is another phenomenon whose existence the party has long denied. Will Mr Miliband support the Government if it seeks to restrict the access of foreign nationals to welfare payments and the NHS? If not, then all he says on the subject is just so much hot air.