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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand why people think it's a good idea to flood the country with people of other races and cultures?

208 replies

HoHumm · 01/07/2011 23:18

It is said that multiculturalism is a 'good' thing, why? You want your kids to mix with people of other cultures - take them on holiday.

Why is it a good to create areas with pockets of people from other countries who don't particularly want to be here, like us, our culture, food or weather, and are basically only here to bleed (for want of a better word) the country dry of as much money/services as they can get? That is the ugly truth. A lot of their money is not put back in the economy here, it goes out of the country to build houses/buy cars for their families back 'home'.

In my street (coucil housing), 7 out of 15 houses are occupied by foreign nationals. They do not mix with anyone else except their fellow countrymen (the 2 polish families have riotous barbecues every weekend). As I walk to the town centre, at least 1 of out every 3 groups of people are talking in a foreign tongue, they would not pass the time of day with you and I am far outside London.

Explain how this is benefitting our society as a whole. The old chestnut 'they are doing jobs we don't want to do' is wearing thin. If we needed doctors and nurses etc, why was this not planned in advance and quotas not figured out to make sure our young were trained for these jobs with incentives put in place? Is'nt that what the government is supposed to do? At least they would be putting their wages back into our economy.

Call me a racist - whatever. I know what I'm talking about with first hand experience.

Flame away.

OP posts:
bt1978 · 02/07/2011 09:55

op i think your anger at the immigrants is misguided. you are clearly angry at the government for 'allowing them in', but if you had the chance for a better life for your family wouldn't you take it? We have voted in this government. if you didn't want people from other countries to live here then i would assume you voted accordingly.
As for kids mixing with other cultures i think this can only be a good thing. we live in an increasingly global society and think we should embrace it.

bucaneve · 02/07/2011 09:55

I answered your question Hohumm

You asked whether foreigners feel any patriotism towards this country, and I said I did.

:)

DooinMeCleanin · 02/07/2011 09:56

Poland is part of the EU btw, so they have as much right to work here as you do to go and work in France. France is lovely, op. You should move there.

Solidarity · 02/07/2011 09:56

HoHumm - Labour finally admitted they 'got it wrong' over immigration a few months ago. The rise in support for the BNP and UKIP ( maybe not full on support but a gentle nod in their direction ) gave them no option tbh. One of the first things the Tories did when they came to power was tighten up on immigration, plus IDS made a speech yesterday about 'British jobs for British workers' -
I know that doesn't answer your question but just saying.

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 09:58

DooinMeCleanin - the French don't deserve the OP surely?? Grin

sue52 · 02/07/2011 09:58

DH is a foreigner who came here as a child. He started his own business, pays big tax bills and has employed quite a few British people (and some foreigners) over the years. Don't be so narrow minded OP.

moogster1a · 02/07/2011 09:58

I see we're still at the stage where if you try to put forward an opinion other than let's let everyone who wants into the country you get derided as racist.
I thought we'd grown up a little and people were finally realising the country is too full, and not everybody wants the culture of our country changed.
Why is it so wrong to not want literally millions of people into the country. many of whom seem to hate us and our way of life. Not to mention the simple logistics of providing education/ housing / medical aid for them all.
The country is full.

microfight · 02/07/2011 10:00

I know quite a few immigrants, they are all working and paying taxes. I have a polish cleaner who is ace and been with me 5 years. I have some aussie friends and a south african who have very good city jobs paying higher taxes than myself. Are they included not to be allowed in or are they okay because they are working. And does that mean that all the immigrants are hard working because the ones I know are? I love generalisation Grin not!
BTW my family live in France and other countries should they come home? One of them doesn't work in the country they emigrated to!

Lastly, I presume you have never enjoyed a curry?

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 10:00

Scotland isn't that full........... some of our Islands are crying out for new families to keep their communities going.

melikalikimaka · 02/07/2011 10:01

62.5 million and growing.Shock

microfight · 02/07/2011 10:03

moogster
I am sure their are many British who hate other British peoples way of life. Some do mix some don't.

Gemjar · 02/07/2011 10:03

Actually, the reason why it is so difficult to answer the OP's question is because it is inaccurate. I cannot say why it is a good idea for people to flood the country, because they aren't. At least not any more than they have been in recent years.

OP you talk about ignoring the past and only focusing on how immigration affects our generation, but did you know that immigration numbers have remained at a fairly constant level for more than 10 years now, there isn't a 'flood' just a reasonably steady level of people moving to a different country to work hard and improve their lives for their families, just as many Brits move to Australia, etc to change their situation.

This country in particular is built on immigration, it depends upon it and always has. If you are not happy with that OP,maybe you could consider immigrating.....oh wait...

SpringchickenGoldBrass · 02/07/2011 10:03

The UK is not full and to claim it is just marks you out as fuckwitted, basically. Oh, and you're a failure as well. IF you weren't a failure, either socially or professionally, you wouldn't be so busy trying to blame some kind of 'Other' for everything.

nevergonnahappen · 02/07/2011 10:04

you had better not talk to me either op!!

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 10:07

Do you have it in for sheep too OP?

Because thousands and thousands of Highlanders were booted out of here to make way for the more profitable sheep during the Clearances....................

Original poster
HoHumm · 02/07/2011 10:12

As for kids mixing with other cultures i think this can only be a good thing. we live in an increasingly global society and think we should embrace it.

We can embrace it without them all coming over here!

You are quite happy for your children not to get in your local school due to the rising population fuelled by immgration (or even one their siblings attend as has happened to several friends of mine) just so that they can mix with other cultures?

I based my OP on the FACT that the vast majority of immigrants would rather be in their own country than over here. That is what they consider as 'home' and that is where their patriotism lies. I KNOW this from talking to them (this is an area I used to work in as well), so am not assuming anything.

AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE WE DESCENDED FROM IMMIGRATIONS HOGWASH - pathetic argument! I am talking about the last 15 years and the here and now.

OP posts:
Longtalljosie · 02/07/2011 10:24

Have a cup of tea. Oh no, you can't, it's an example of multiculturalism. Coffee? Curry? Better stick with bread and mead then.

Actually, I should thank you. I was going to make a donation to Save The Children yesterday and got distracted. Your bollocks about whiskey and helicopters has reminded me.

rainbowinthesky · 02/07/2011 10:25

Blimey - this thread just goes to show how poorly educated and ill informed some people in this country are. OP - it's not your fault you are so ignorant.

microfight · 02/07/2011 10:26

But we have had many successful immigrants over the last 15-20 years where people have integrated and do call Britain home.

OP You still haven't answered whether you think it's ok for Brits to emigrate though? They often live in ghettos and don't embrace the language or food.

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 10:27

But we have to feel sorry for the OP............. all those riotous barbecues that he/she isn't getting invited to? I wonder why........................?

iggitwotimes · 02/07/2011 10:28

It's probably already been said, but perhaps the reason the OP's neighbours don't talk to her isn't because they won't integrate, but because they think she's an arse?

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 10:29

Precisely microflight - the Scots that emigrated to Canada certainly didn't get all pally with the First Nations. And still don't.

Enraha · 02/07/2011 10:29

Speaking as a woolly liberal, perhaps it doesn't bother you that in 30-50 years time that the UK is going to be ridiculously behind the time times globally in terms of resources, education, qualifications, innovation, science, wealth compared to places like China, India et al. In India, they are building state of the art libraries and universities, not shutting them down. We have to expand our horizons culturally and evolve. We don't have the scale or population to go it alone.

Immigration is one of the few ways that we can even dream of keeping up, competing and staying relevant globally. This bothers me as it's important for my and my children's future. Alternatively, we could become an even less tolerant, racist closed shop, resting on our insubstantial laurels with our heads up our arses. I know what I'd prefer, but hey that's just my opinion.

You should be proud that you still live in a country people aspire to come to, it won't be that way forever.

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 10:30

"arse" probably just about covers it.

Salmotrutta · 02/07/2011 10:32

In response to iggi that is Grin