A high-ranking politician from Bristol, known as UK economy engine of growth, has vehemently backed a proposal to restrict the free movement of Bulgarians and Romanians until 2019, citing cultural differences.

Charlotte Leslie,  Conservative MP for Bristol North West, however claims t is not about “xenophobia” but about protecting those who already live in those communities as well as those wanting to come in.

“I am not only worried about the pressure a new influx of people would put on local services but also about the pace of change,“ she said , as cited by local media.

“This is not so much about which country people are from, but about the effect of a very sudden influx of people, and a possibly large population growth in the city, at a time when we are really struggling for jobs and services.

“But when newcomers are from European countries that are culturally so different from the UK, I am concerned there will be great resentment about the pressures they will put on jobs and local services.

“It is a bit like baking a cake; you can’t add all the eggs at once or the mixture will curdle.

“So I want to delay the relaxation of these regulations for as long as possible so we can look at the social ipact.”

Charlotte Leslie says she is about to back a rebel amendment to the Immigration Bill that would restrict the free movement of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants into the UK until December 31 2018.

Under current rules migrants from Romania and Bulgaria would be free to move to the UK from January 1 next year.

“I don’t want to see social tensions increasing and increasing,” Ms Leslie said.

“Bristol is culturally rich because of its ethnic diversity but change has to be done gradually.

“I think we have a good social mix that has grown up over years and years and that is hugely enriching but if we change things too quickly and for the wrong reasons then it could have very damaging consequences that could risk the whole concept of diversity.

“People are not xenophobic. It is if things are not managed well that tensions erupt.”