Blair defends call for EU migration curbs

London: Tony Blair has defended his call for new controls on EU migration as a cabinet minister accused him of a belated "epiphany" on the issue, reports BBC.

The ex-PM said the UK could stay in the EU after all with new curbs in place.

He claimed this would address people's "grievances" without the "sledgehammer" of Brexit.

Critics have pointed to his Labour government's decision not to apply transitional controls to eastern European migrants in 2004.

Mr Blair's proposals are to "tighten" existing free movement rules, including on benefit entitlement, and seek to negotiate an "emergency brake" on EU migration in certain sectors.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, the former prime minister - one of the most prominent anti-Brexit campaigners - said he accepted last year's Leave vote but that there were ways of controlling EU immigration without leaving.

"Brexit is a distraction, not a solution, to the problems this country is facing," he said.

Mr Blair said he believed Brexit would go ahead "unless it starts to become obvious that the public is having second thoughts" - and that "hasn't become obvious yet".

"If we put this case to people, maybe they will listen. If they don't - I accept it goes forward," he said.

Unlike France and Germany, which did not give migrants from the 10 countries which joined the EU in May 2004 full access to their labour market until 2011, the then-Labour government did not insist on any transitional controls.

Mr Blair said: "The situation back then was different."

He told the Marr show the economy had been strong when he left office in 2007 before the financial crash, adding: "You've got to listen to what people are saying and react to it."

"It's a bit late now, this epiphany", responded Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon on the Marr show.

Sir Michael said "election after election" had shown the public wanted "proper controls" over immigration.

"I think it's a pity he didn't think of that when all these new countries were admitted to the European Union on his watch," he added.

Pro-EU Conservative Ken Clarke told Sky News it was "hopeless" to think the UK could stay in the EU, given the "mood of the country".

The government has said free movement will end with the UK's withdrawal from the EU, and a forthcoming immigration bill will set out its plans in detail.

Blair defends call for EU migration curbs

London: Tony Blair has defended his call for new controls on EU migration as a cabinet minister accused him of a belated epiphany on the issue, reports BBC. The ex-PM said the UK could stay in the EU after all with new curbs in place. He claimed this would address peoples grievances without the sledgehammer of Brexit. Critics have pointed to his Labour governments decision not to apply transitional controls to eastern European migrants in 2004. Mr Blairs proposals are to tighten existing free movement rules, including on benefit entitlement, and seek to negotiate an emergency brake on EU migration in certain sectors. Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr show, the former prime minister - one of the most prominent anti-Brexit campaigners - said he accepted last years Leave vote but that there were ways of controlling EU immigration without leaving. Brexit is a distraction, not a solution, to the problems this country is facing, he said. Mr Blair said he believed Brexit would go ahead unless it starts to become obvious that the public is having second thoughts - and that hasnt become obvious yet. If we put this case to people, maybe they will listen. If they dont - I accept it goes forward, he said. Unlike France and Germany, which did not give migrants from the 10 countries which joined the EU in May 2004 full access to their labour market until 2011, the then-Labour government did not insist on any transitional controls. Mr Blair said: The situation back then was different. He told the Marr show the economy had been strong when he left office in 2007 before the financial crash, adding: Youve got to listen to what people are saying and react to it. Its a bit late now, this epiphany, responded Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon on the Marr show. Sir Michael said election after election had shown the public wanted proper controls over immigration. I think its a pity he didnt think of that when all these new countries were admitted to the European Union on his watch, he added. Pro-EU Conservative Ken Clarke told Sky News it was hopeless to think the UK could stay in the EU, given the mood of the country. The government has said free movement will end with the UKs withdrawal from the EU, and a forthcoming immigration bill will set out its plans in detail.