The Green party is and will continue to be staunchly opposed to the anti-migrant rhetoric pushed out by the mainstream. At the last general election the party stood on a pro-migrant anti-scapegoating platform and garnered its best results on record.

Whilst we would have much preferred that members use the party’s official channels for discussing views, we feel compelled to respond to yesterday’s letter (Green calls for change on migrant policy, Letters, 22 February). It’s imperative we as members issue a strong statement in response, supporting the Party’s long-standing commitment to helping and welcoming migrants.

The author fails to recognise the historical context. Young educated people have left eastern Europe because of a lack of opportunity in their own country. In 2004, when Poland first entered the EU, youth unemployment was 40%. Now because of EU accession the Polish economy is in a far healthier state and there is more opportunity for Poles to stay in Poland, particularly with the government now able to offer incentives for workers to remain. A combination of remittances, talent returning from the west and EU cooperation gives far more opportunity to young Poles than before.

As for migrants keeping wages down only limited evidence can be produced. The Migrant Advisory Committee only found very modest links between lower wages and migration. On that the Green party has the answer, a full living wage and stronger trade unions so employers can’t exploit workers.

Finally, there is little evidence to suggest that staunching the flow of EU migrants would help the intake of Syrian refugees. Indeed public opinion is sadly far more opposed to the entry of refugees than skilled labour or international students. Conceding free movement in the EU will likely only harden opinions to migration, not soften them. It is not like countries with particularly severe migrant controls (such as Japan and South Korea) are accepting scores of Syrian refugees.

The Green party will stand shoulder to shoulder with any partner in standing up for free movement in the EU. This referendum offers the perfect opportunity to battle mistru\ths and misinformation on migrants. We look forward to defeating the arguments of the populist right come June.

Charlene Concepcion

Sahra Rae Taylor

Manishta Sunnia

Sofiya Ahmed

Elaha Walizadeh

Fez Endalaust

Sophie van der Ham

Nico Fekete Perez

Samir Jeraj

Rustam Majainah

Mollie Scharaschkin

Sarah Cope

Aimee Challenor

Samantha Pancheri

Sam Murray

Mike Williamson

Jack Grant

Rosie Woolgar

Ryan Coley

Tommy Patrick Baker

Rachel Collinson

Rory O’Keefe

Clare Keogh

Jenny Marklew

Ross Campbell

Chris Atkins

Thom French

Daniel Key

Martin Francis

Vicky Pearson

Karl Stanley

Bethany Payne

Chris Cotton

Emma Carter

Lee Burkwood

Duncan Davis

Georgia Elander

Joe Levy

Lee-Anne Lawrance

Tom Pashby

Sabrina Poole

Deborah Fenney Salkeld

Mark Burkwood

Matthew Genn

Alexander Catt

Hannah Ellen Clare

Oliver Millward

Paul Cohen

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