Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

Now there's a surprise.

A thousand or so people taking William Hague up on his stated objective of affording them a more democratic life by doorstepping him because they can't currently live in their own country.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

It wasn't about your "mental state", it was about your apparent lack of intelligence/intellectual rigour - your answer confirms my proposition.:D

Amusing from someone whose previous replies in this thread to other posters have included in-depth analysis and debate such as As stated previously, high on bile, low on content - that was the first time I had quoted your reprehensible statement (previously martyh and Russ had quoted it); but as usual, facts are not your friends....:D

I love having a decent debate, Gary - posters like Osem, Mr Angry, and many others are a pleasure to discuss things with; you, on the other hand, have as much debating ability as an BNP spokesman - garbled propositions, moronic non-sequiturs, and constant rants.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

Which is why the other factors (in addition to just cash/quality) I mentioned about the UK are important and will affect the different categories of migrants (e.g. legal, illegal, EU, Non-EU) in different ways. Great services are of no use to migrants if they're not entitled to them or can't access them easily or at all for one reason or another. They're not of much comfort or interest to the vast numbers of illegals seeking somewhere to go if they know stand a very good chance of being rounded up, refused entry and deported quick smart. The UK's thoroughly shambolic immigration system is still open to huge abuse and it's still taking ages, sometimes years, for the authorities to get round to contesting claims and removing people even when multiple appeals have been exhausted etc. This, coupled with the almost certain knowledge that, if they work the system for as long as possible and manage to marry/have a child, even illegal entrants and bogus asylum seekers will not be removed, must be a major factor in the minds of those intent on coming here illegally and remaining.

Rights and entitlements are a big factor. I believe, for example, the widespread and routine availability of free translation/ESOL/help/housing support services etc. is a factor in drawing migrants here. Our Polish neighbour moved to France two years ago with her husband and children - no translation services available for them so, whilst trying to learn French, which she has to pay for, she has to get by on her English which it seems the people she meets strangely aren't too keen on.. ;) She keeps in touch with us and tells us she feels really quite isolated there but of course nobody would ever claim that'd be down to French xenophobia at all.

I think we all know there's a fare amount of racism here but that's the same virtually everywhere and not to be conflated with having genuine reasoned concerns about mass migration which is after all what we're talking about. Isn't it true that there's plenty of concern about migration in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland etc.? I've travelled and worked abroad a fair bit over the last 30 years and it's certainly evident where I've been in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. According to the many E. Europeans we've known over the years, overt racism (for example against the Roma) is almost endemic and institutional in many places there.

Giving the impression that things in the UK are somehow much worse or harder for migrants than in these other countries (if that's what you're implying) doesn't wash IMHO. If the UK isn't a soft touch and our people and systems are so much more prejudiced than others, why do so many migrants (including large numbers who have no links with the UK and speak no English) go to such extremes to get here (legally or otherwise) and then choose to stay? If it's so arduous here and so much easier for such people to exist happily in France and elsewhere why are there queues of migrants from all over the place waiting just outside the port of Calais?...

Where you'd wish to go is a matter of your personal choice (plus, of course, the immigration rules effective in that country) but the large numbers who've not only come here but remained over the last 10-15 years don't appear to share your view about the UK being a less desireable destination and home to a 'xenophobic lot of whingeing poms'.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

Osem: Good points, and I'm definitely not suggesting that there are no concerns about mass immigration throughout Europe. What I am saying is that when you look at the data, the UK does not appear to be overrun by immigrants to a larger extent than comparable European Nations, yet the Brits appear disproportionately concerned. Whether that's a case of xenophobia, pressure on already stretched and underfunded public services or some other genuine concern I don't know, but the difference is quite striking. As it stands, and with knowledge of the state of public services and benefits abroad I'm tempted to take the soft touch stories with a pinch of salt.

For the record: I am an immigrant who's been living here for over 10 years. I'm enjoying it too (otherwise I'd have left). Despite the poor public services...

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

Which I reckon will get poorer as demand upon them increases due to unplanned and unforseen raised population levels.

"Austerity Measures" have already caused cuts and reduction in services, so things can only get worse unless UK plc wins the EU lottery big time... many times...

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

I seen a piece on that on the news. they were worried that ethnic minorities would take it personal that their club and stuff might close, and/or that they lose funding.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

There are few parties that offer a solution to all this immigration nonsense and sooner or later something is going to give.

Forgot to add... this is our Government as it stands.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13211577 Enjoy

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

They will be in the same boat as everyone else, then.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

I know. it was the way they reported it as we hope it doesn't happen because we've got to tell them that it's not personal when it does.

The media always make an issue out of everything that isn't actually an issue.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

Hadn't seen that report.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

You wouldn't have. it was on my local news.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

I was in Oxford a couple of weeks ago - I might have.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

It would have been cool if you did when I don't live anywhere near Oxford.

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

I'm not surprised...

Re: A new flood of migrants ?
 

You're weird.