It's hardly a core principle of socialism

"Pro-European voices in the party arguing for a referendum need to get louder and the leadership should listen and act" says Matthew Rhodes (Director of Strategy at the thinktank British Future) in this article for LabourList  http://labourlist.org/2014/05/the-challenge-for-labour-on-immigration-is-what-to-say-not-how-loudly-to-say-it/

It seems inevitable that Labour will be forced to back down over a referendum.

And I am puzzled that Labour seems so absolutely committed to on-going immigration.

Why?

It's hardly a core principle of socialism.

And as for the fact that it is "good" (in their opinion) for people - well lots of things are good for people but political parties do not try to force them on the population.

Aerobic exercise thirty minutes a day?  A diet of raw vegetables?  Regular doses of caster oil?

Is Labour going to include mandatory programmes on these?

So why the hang-up about immigration?

No matter how you package it, the electorate does not want immigration.

Let it go before it drags you under.