Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair today called for stricter controls on migration from within the European Union (EU) to avoid the country having to completely split from the economic bloc. The Labour leader, under whose leadership the UK is seen as having opened its doors to migration from around the world in the 1990s, said the times have changed. <br/><br/>Writing in 'The Sunday Times', Blair acknowledged that he has changed his mind since his government had chosen not to invoke transitional controls on migrants from newer EU members from eastern Europe, unlike most other countries within the union.<br/><br/>Under existing rules, citizens of other EU countries can be removed after six months if they have not found a job, have no realistic possibility of finding one, and require support from the UK's welfare system. The former Prime Minister argues that by bringing in proper immigration controls it would be possible to take back control of Britain's borders without leaving the EU.