ELECTION promises to crack down on immigration will make life even harder for asylum seekers fleeing persecution, says the Anglican bishop of Portsmouth.

The Conservative Party has pledged to create quotas on asylum seekers if they win the next General Election, while Labour is planning stricter controls on granting applications.

Both, says the bishop, will mean turning away people who genuinely face death threats in their home countries.

The Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson, pictured, told the Daily Echo: "Immigration and asylum are emotive issues and Christians will hold a variety of views about them.

"But we all have to realise that behind the headlines are real people at their most vulnerable.

"In the clamour for cheap votes, there is a distinct lack of compassion for those who are genuine. They need our protection, not political rhetoric slung out without thought for those affected."

The bishop has called on both parties to re-think their policies.

His stance comes in a week which saw the Church of England release a report advocating compassion and solidarity for asylum-seekers, explaining the legal basis of the asylum system and examining the economic and other contributions made to the UK by asylum seekers and refugees.

The Rev Nick Ralph, social responsibility adviser for the Anglican diocese of Portsmouth and chairman of Portsmouth Area Refugee Support (PARS), says he is astonished at the level of misunderstanding on the issue.

He said: "Too often asylum seekers are confused with economic migrants, and - while there will always be some who try to abuse the system - that is not true of the majority.

"Many of the stories we hear at PARS are heartbreaking and backed up by the scars people physically bear.

"They suffered persecution and now they are made to suffer destitution, often because they have no money to pay for food, clothes or legal representation."

Changes to the system now mean that asylum-seekers are only allowed access to a solicitor for up to five hours, leaving many without a lawyer at appeal hearings, even if they cannot speak English.

"The issue is how a society that claims to be civilised treats those on the margins of that society," added Mr Ralph.