Labour warned it will LOSE seats in next election without ‘credible’ immigration policy

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Dan Jarvis has criticised the Labour leader for failing to outline a valid immigration policy

Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's muddle over migration and refusal to back limiting numbers has put him at odds with many of his own MPs who say the Labour Party must address its supporters' genuine concerns.

The party is seen at risk of losing former safe seat Stoke-on-Trent to the UK Independence Party in the by-election caused by Labour MP Tristram Hunt's resignation.

Former soldier Dan Jarvis, who has been tipped as a potential future party leader, told The House magazine: "There has been a view among many people who traditionally supported Labour that we didn't understand or care about the concerns that they had, and worse than that, that we looked down upon then for having those concerns.

There's nothing progressive about not listening to the concerns of the people we represent

Dan Jarvis MP

"That's a toxic mix for us as a party. If we don't address those concerns we will have significant challenges in the future.

"Any Labour Party manifesto ahead of the next general election must have an immigration policy which recognises the benefits but understands the concerns.

"If we don’t, that comes with significant consequences, meaning that we will lose seats.

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Mr Jarvis said immigration will be a key talking point in the next election which must be addressed

"There's nothing progressive about not listening to the concerns of the people we have come into politics to represent. This is about fairness.

"Immigration, along with Brexit, the economy, housing and the NHS, will be one of the strategic issues at the next general election, and we cannot afford not to have a credible position that recognises the benefits, but also understands the concerns."

Mr Corbyn again put himself at odds with many of his MPs yesterday by declaring that he will order them to vote in favour of starting the Brexit process if the Supreme Court on Tuesday says Theresa May must get Parliament's approval to do so.

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Tue, July 12, 2016

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn takes part in a community meeting at the Guru Har Rai Gurdwara Sahib temple

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Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks at an anti-racism rally in London

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Mr Corbyn attracted the ire of his MPs yesterday by supporting a vote in favour of starting Brexit

The Labour leader said he had made "very clear" his party accepted the people's vote last June to leave the European Union.

His commitment not to block Mrs May invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to start formal exit talks with the rest of the EU came amid reports that some MPs in Mr Corbyn’s front bench top team were agonising over whether they could vote for it.

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