Lib Dems toughen up immigration rhetoric as Sir Ed Davey pledges to 'stop the boats'

Bournemouth is famous for its sandy beaches, sunny weather and wholesome seaside attractions. But over the summer it also became infamous for the number of asylum seekers put up in its hotels.

This weekend, it’s also hosting the Liberal Democrats' annual conference, and while most political parties are competing to sound tougher on illegal migration - the Lib Dems are still putting forward a more humanitarian approach, albeit with a slightly harder tone.

While today, they’re calling for the government to speed up the asylum decision-making system with ‘nightingale’ style temporary processing centres, the fundamentals of their policy do not seem to have changed.

They still want to expand the number of safe and legal routes for those escaping war and persecution, so that people can apply for asylum without crossing the channel illegally.

They’re also calling for asylum seekers to be able to work while awaiting decisions to be made on their cases.

"Anybody sensible wants a fair and effective immigration asylum system," says Lisa Smart MP, the party’s home affairs spokesperson.

"We’ve seen Reform UK just sat shouting and sounding very angry, we’ve increasingly heard the Tories moving closer and closer to them, and Labour acting like a tribute act.

"We want a fair and effective system which treats people coming here, fleeing war and persecution, like human beings."

Some voters I spoke to in Bournemouth told me they supported the principle of welcoming genuine refugees wanting to come to the UK to build a better life, and liked the idea of creating more safe and legal routes.

But there was also widespread scepticism about the lack of progress made by successive governments in tackling illegal migration - with many keen for a tougher approach.

Two former Lib Dem voters told me they’d been turned away from the party because of their concerns about people breaking into the country and putting pressure on its creaking infrastructure.

Recent polling suggests immigration is now the biggest concern for voters. Luke Tryl of organisation More in Common says it could be a problem for the Lib Dems trying to broaden their appeal at the next election.

"The difference with Liberal Democrat voters is that despite the fact they have that shared view with the majority of the rest of the public (that levels of immigration should come down) it's a less important issue for them," he says.

"If the Liberal Democrats want to grow, if they want to go beyond last year's election result and perhaps position themselves as a future coalition partner for the Labour Party, I think voters are going to want to see a more comprehensive offer on immigration."

For those taking part in weekly protests outside the Roundhouse - one of three town centre hotels booked out by the Home Office for housing asylum seekers - there was considerable anger. Many of those protesting told me they feel ignored.

"As you can see we’ve had enough,” said Mark Dean. "We can’t just sit on our sofas and say nothing and expect the country to change, because it will not."

"I work at a homeless shelter two days a week and there are so many people who use that who have to sleep in tents on the beach," said Sarah Turnbull.

"It’s heartbreaking to see how many people in our area are struggling just to feed themselves and we’re spending millions on illegal migrants."

The Lib Dems are unlikely to win over many of the voters protesting outside asylum hotels. But this weekend’s conference is an opportunity to try and pitch to those uncomfortable with the right wing tilt of public debate on the issue.