The home secretary has sought to justify Labour's "tough choices" on asylum and immigration reform.

Ahead of a Commons debate on the government's plans this week, David Blunkett used an article in the Observer newspaper on Sunday to set out the left wing credentials of his policy.

He denied that the forthcoming Asylum and Immigration Bill was a deliberate attempt to garner votes, but accepted there was a need to address the public's fears.

"I didn't come into politics to have to deal with the issue of clandestine entry, illegal working or an asylum system that allows a free run for right-wing bigots," Blunkett wrote.

"I did, however, come into political life to provide people with security and stability, to reduce their fears and to see off racism. That is the difficult task I've taken on as home secretary.

"To secure confidence and trust, people who are not engaged in politics need to know we've got a grip, that we know what we are doing and understand their fears.

"This is not to pander but to be aware, to be anticipatory as well as proactive, and to be prepared to take the steps necessary to both deal with reality and perceptions but also to provide reassurance."

The senior Cabinet minister, who has come in for heavy criticism from the left of his party over his tough stance, said tackling the problem was crucial to Labour's chances of staying in office.

"Across Europe, governments of the left which fail to address their public's concerns about immigration, security and law and order have been swept from power by the right, sometimes the far-right," he argued.

"There is a complacent tendency on the left in this country to dismiss these trends as continental politics, far removed from the tolerance and diversity which has characterised UK society and always ensured the BNP has remained a fringe party.

"But we should have no truck with complacency. Last week a report showed that the proportion of people who regard themselves as racist has risen for the first time in nearly 20 years, to 31 per cent.

"That, in a nutshell, is why we must have the political courage to press ahead with the further reform of asylum and immigration that we know is needed. Such reforms would ensure failed claimants are removed, that our legal appeals and legal aid are not abused and that we are tackling every part of the organised criminal trafficking networks who target the UK."

Blunkett's bill will contain powers to electronically tag failed asylum seekers and reduce the level of legal aid and number of appeals applicants are entitled to.

It has also been the subject of a large political row over the decision to withdraw all benefits from failed claimants, meaning some asylum-seeker children could be separated from their parents.

But the home secretary dismissed criticisms that this was an electorally motivated move.

"Does this mean that we want to take children away from failed asylum-seekers, as was claimed in The Observer recently? Of course not," he claimed.

"Such a measure would always be an absolute last resort.

"But I must ensure that those who have failed every avenue of appeal and are refusing to be flown home and resettled cannot continue to receive unlimited housing and benefits.

"Otherwise who would return to their country of origin?"