PARTY leaders have been accused of shunning a "grown-up" debate on immigration and asylum following the government's announcement of new restrictions.

The accusation came as home secretary Charles Clarke unveiled a points system for migrants and more deportations of failed asylum seekers.

David Shire, director of Dorset Race Equality Network, voiced fears that the debate between Labour and the Conservatives could fuel race relations problems.

"What we're trying to do is promote harmony and peaceful coexistence within the groups who are already in the country," he said.

He said politicians' comments on immigration made this "much more difficult".

Mr Shire said many people came to Britain for labour and often for work which British people were not prepared to do.

"Just communicating in terms of numbers flooding into the country and upsetting the resident population is really not a responsible and grown-up way of discussing the issue," he said.

"I'm concerned that the government is being propelled into this kind of conversation much earlier on before the election and not concentrating on perhaps giving people the facts about what's needed for the country."

But Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP for New Forest West, said the government's proposals on immigration did not go far enough.

He said: "It's all very well having a points system but they haven't put any cap on the total number of immigrants and asylum seekers."

He denied Tory policies would make life more difficult for migrants already in Britain.

"The immigrant community are the ones that are most insistent that something needs to be done because they're aware of the sensitivities of the host population and they don't want trouble or unpleasantness," he added.

South Dorset's Labour MP Jim Knight said the government was right to respond to "limited evidence" that immigration was putting pressures on public services in some areas.

He added: "It's very important that we have a balanced debate and we haven't necessarily got that. It's not fashionable to make comments about the positive effect that migrants can have and do have in our economy and public services but it's also important that politicians of all parties respond to genuine public concerns and fears and alleviate those fears and deal with them.

"What I would be concerned about is if parties campaign on the basis of stoking up fears."

Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, criticised the main parties.

"We do think the bidding war is getting out of hand. We've been saying for a long time that we needed to strengthen our border controls and we think the Customs and Excise and immigration should be combined," she said.

"Many tragedies are caused by the illegal trafficking of adults and children and I do think the more we crack down on that, the greater benefit it will be to society as a whole."

First published: February 8