London’s eclectic mayor has called for a visa free migration bloc between “like minded” nations, where residents are free to work and live where they please. The drive to have a “free mobility labour zone” between Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain was started by London Mayor Boris Johnson but has now been picked up by several MPs and Lords in Westminster.
Polling in the four nations commissioned by the Royal Commonwealth Society in London and found that 70 per cent of Australians, 82 per cent of New Zealanders and 75 per cent of Canadians were in favour for the move.
Britain also supported the initiative although to a smaller degree — 58 per cent. The UK is presently in a migration crisis with EU membership ensuring all Europeans have free access to live and work in the UK and receive considerable benefits, all of which is to come to a head in June with a referendum on whether the UK remains in the EU.
“This polling is invaluable as it shows the view and wishes of these fellow Commonwealth friends in strong support for closer ties,” the Commonwealth Society’s president and former British Minister of State Lord Howell said.
The society’s director of policy and research Tim Hewish said MPs in each country were now required to shape political interest to having a migration bloc between the nations. He said the countries shared common language, legal systems, economic and family ties and the same Head of State so it seemed a natural shift.
“It will be a long slog, it is a big idea,” Mr Hewish said of looking to connect MPs in the four nations to pressure to form such a free mobility zone.
A spokesman for the mayor said Mr Johnson was particularly keen for a migration deal to be trialled between just Australia and UK first then possibly extended to other countries, adding Commonwealth citizens should be allowed greater ability to contribute to London’s culture and community.
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