IMMIGRATION to the UK has caused a shortage of housing in Monmouthshire, Monmouth MP David Davies has claimed.

The Conservative politician said the EU election results showed the majority of people want action on Europe and immigration.

UKIP polled 6,757 votes in Monmouthshire – 1,212 behind the Tories who came top.

But though Monmouthshire’s turnout was the best in Gwent, it was still just 34 per cent.

Mr Davies said he was pleased with the result in the county, which he said was good for the Tories, and said: “It does show the majority of people in Monmouthshire are concerned about Europe and immigration and want to see action taken.

The Argus asked Mr Davies if there was an immigration problem in Monmouthshire.

“There’s no immigration problem in Monmouthshire itself; there is a problem caused by immigration in Monmouthshire and it’s a shortage of housing,” the MP said.

“We’re having to build 400 houses a year over the next ten years because so many people are moving in, and they are moving in because the population of the UK is growing.

Mr Davies said: “politicians in both Labour and Conservative parties who are concerned about immigration should be able to talk about it without being accused of racism, which is the problem I’ve had over the last ten years.

“There is a problem with immigration; it has nothing to do with race,” he added.

Ruth Jones, Labour general election candidate for Monmouth, said the area does need more affordable housing.

She said: “Young people are being priced out of their home county, and they are moving to cities and having to commute.”

She said: “It’s not to address the immigration issue. It’s local people who need housing.”

Meanwhile Nick Ramsay, Tory AM for Monmouth, said: “UKIP voters have sent a powerful message to the bubble political class that they need to wake up to the concerns of real people.