On 1 May 2004, ten countries, mainly from the former eastern bloc, became EU members, gaining the right to work and live in Britain immediately.
Prescott and Straw, concerned about immigration influx, urged Blair to delay the opening of the UK labor market to new EU citizens until November 2004.
In a letter, Straw emphasized the potential for government to be compelled to suspend work rights for new EU nationals if not addressed timely.
While Blair's cabinet appeared supportive publicly, internal discussions revealed significant tensions over the economic impacts of unrestricted migration.
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