When times are hard get xenophobic, because hating jolly forefinger helps the little man feel better.
Tried and tested political technique.
You can't sit there and deny the current state of immigration is too much too fast. People aren't angry at the people coming in, it's the various politicians over the years that have let this happen and given away our say in the matter to the EU. Immigration has come to the forefront because it's been a slow grind up to the current situation where suddenly the country has noticably changed.