Chuka’s first parliamentary question as a Lib Dem
Chuka Umunna is no stranger to holding the government to account. He spent four years opposing the Business Secretary, one Vincent Cable. The effect of that seems to have been the formation of a close friendship.
Today he asked his first question as a Lib Dem on a touchstone liberal issue - the benefits of immigration and the awfulness of the Tory Government's policies:
The King's Fund says that the earnings threshold in the Government's immigration proposals, which was mentioned earlier, will definitely impact on the ability to retain and attract NHS staff. The proposals for a transition period during which many social care workers would only be allowed to come here for a limited time with no entitlement to bring dependants will, again, negatively impact on the ability to retain staff. When will this Government realise that immigration is good for our public services and good for our country, and that badly thought out policy in this area that impacts on the retention of NHS staff is wrong and nonsensical?
It's nice to see him down as a Lib Dem in Hansard, too.
Welcome, Chuka.