The director of a think-tank suggesting unrestricted immigration between Britain and New Zealand and Australia believes the proposal will get British government backing.
The Commonwealth Exchange plan is based on an idea by London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, who was outraged last year when an Australian teacher was kicked out of Britain while European Union citizens have unrestricted access.
The report argues so-called “Boris bilaterals” should be modelled on the trans-Tasman travel arrangement between Australia and New Zealand.
Since 1973, that arrangement has allowed New Zealand and Australian citizens to enter each other's countries to visit, live and work without the need to apply for a visa before travelling.
I was unopinionated on Boris, but I'm well into his bilateral plan http://t.co/9NPBl46eCb
— Anna Rose Kerr (@annarosekerr) November 3, 2014
Think-tank director and report author Tim Hewish told Radio New Zealand such a move would not be as controversial as immigration sometimes is in Britain.
“We share the same head of state, we have a common law legal system, we 've got a lot in common, and to think this is alien or unwanted immigration would be somewhat misplaced.”
However, Prime Minister John Key isn’t so confident. “It’s something we would greatly welcome but I’m really sceptical.”
He said immigration was the biggest issue in the UK, and with the country’s general election in May next year it would be challenging to make progress on the idea, 3 News reported.
John Key doesn't think Kiwis are going to being granted special status to live and work in Britain any time soon http://t.co/ohfNcOkBi9
— Firstline (@FirstlineNZ) November 3, 2014
