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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to be surprised by how many people are anti-immigration?

326 replies

Mimstar · 09/09/2013 18:48

I was called naive today. Apparently 'if you aren't concerned by immigration, you've got your head in wonderland'.

And I thought - actually, I know hardly anybody else who isn't anti-immigration.

I'm trying to understand this attitude, it seems so common nowadays. Maybe I do have my head in wonderland.

I'm so tired of hearing 'job stealers!' type comments.

Sad
OP posts:
KatyTheCleaningLady · 09/09/2013 18:54

Immigration has issues of concern beyond those of mere xenophobia.

jollygoose · 09/09/2013 18:57

well have you not noticed mim that are schools are heavily over subscribed, our hospital A & Es struggling and forget social housing unless you have been on waiting list for years.
I think you are confusing immigration with racism - did you want a pat on the back for being so liberal?

tuffie · 09/09/2013 19:01

I'm with you Mimstar. There is a misconception that immigrants are taking our jobs but I know several employers who say that their businesses would not survive without immigrant workers (and no it is not slave labour).

Clearly it is dangerous to generalise and you get good and bad in every culture but every immigrant I have met - and I meet a lot in my line of work - has without exception had a very good work ethic, is happy, and a pleasure to be with.
I may well get flamed for saying this but that definitely has not always been the case with British people.

Bunbaker · 09/09/2013 19:02

While I am not anti immigration per se (my mum was an immigrant) there are loads of problems caused by the fact that our infrastructure can't efficiently support all the people living here. The net migration numbers are too high and the struggle for school places, long waits on NHS waiting lists, lack of council housing etc soon add up.

expatinscotland · 09/09/2013 19:04

What jolly said. If infrastructure can't support it, it can result in big problems.

livinginwonderland · 09/09/2013 19:05

Well, I'm anti-immigration in the sense that we cannot support everyone who comes here. England cannot support everyone and acknowledging that doesn't make people racist.

People come ere and use our schools, the NHS, take up council housing places etc etc. and it's just not economically viable. I say all this as the daughter of immigrants - my parents moved here when I was 2 and have worked ever since, but we just cannot support everyone.

SaucyJack · 09/09/2013 19:06

Immigrants are not taking "our" jobs no, but they are flooding the market with cheap, desperate labour which makes employers far, far, far less likely to offer living wages and reasonable working conditions to the natives.

It's not their fault, but it is very concerning.

TSSDNCOP · 09/09/2013 19:08

I also think it depends upon where you live. If you live in an area where immigration is low, you'd probably be bemused. But there are many pockets around the UK that are swamped, and as PP have said the pressure on housing, hospitals and schools is overwhelming.

BrokenSunglasses · 09/09/2013 19:10

I don't think many people are anti immigrants, but I think being concerned about immigration is a valid thing to worry about. It has consequences for people's lives.

As has been said, the effect on schools, housing and NHS treatment has been huge, and it's understandable that people are pissed off about that.

Unfortunately though, every European migrant I have worked with has been significantly more hard working than most British born people I've worked with, and they have a much better attitude to life in general. Most migrants work, so it is fair to say that they are taking jobs that could go to Brits, but if their work is better, then it's not surprising.

Oblomov · 09/09/2013 19:11

I too think you are naive. Immigration is a big issue.

dandydorset · 09/09/2013 19:15

yep you are very naive

sorry but i find it hard to believe people dont think it is causing problems in the UK

ConfusedPixie · 09/09/2013 19:17

I think immigration is a huge issue, though I fully appreciate that without immigrants in this country we would be shafted.

I hear the "They are taking all our jobs." a lot when I visit my home town in Essex, however the only jobs immigrants are really taking en force in that area are manual labour type jobs like fruit picking, farm work and factory jobs, which when you ask those who say "They are stealing the jobs." if they would do that type of job they think you're ridiculous for suggesting it.

There needs to be a balance, fuck knows how that balance can be achieved.

Nancy66 · 09/09/2013 19:18

I hugely admire anybody prepared to move country, uproot their family, leave others behind to look for work and improve their lot in life.

But, that said, I also have deep concerns about the numbers and the impact it will have on us all in the next five years or so.

RoxyFox211 · 09/09/2013 19:23

Yanbu! It's disgraceful the way the government tries to blame everyone else for the financial crisis (public sector workers, immigrants, people on benefits etc), rather than acknowledge that there might be a fault in the system and policies that they themselves create and enforce. It is their stupidity, and the greed of the criminally rich that has caused these problems, along with the destructive and contradictory nature of the capitalist economy. Not immigration!! Immigrants are much less likely to be a "drain" on the system than British nationals. As citizens we need to unite together and confront the real drains, ie the bankers and politicians. The top 3% of the countries wealthiest are in fact still making huge profit margins whilst those at the bottom are paying the price both socially, through descrimination, and financially!

KatyPutTheCuttleOn · 09/09/2013 19:23

I'm also against immigration, regardless of what country they are coming from, we're a small country with a lot of people and we simply can't sustain a large population increase given the the load that is already on the NHS, Schools and other public services.

noisytoys · 09/09/2013 19:29

I'm not anti immigration at all. We are people and no person is more important than the next regardless of where they were born. I know I am in the minority with my opinion though Sad

JaquelineHyde · 09/09/2013 19:33

Immigration is an issue that needs to be addressed, thinking that it isn't an issue is rather naïve.

However, attitudes towards immigration in this country stink, I hate how everyone is an expert on the subject when actually they know fuck all about it and are happy to believe everything printed in whatever rag they chose to read.

Unfortunately it is those negative, uninformed, hysterical views that the coalition government are jumping on at the moment, and are using to drive forward current ridiculous immigration policy.

Parmarella · 09/09/2013 19:36

These debates are so pointless, and yes OP you are a bit simple minded to ask if immigration is good or bad.

It all depends on the numbers surely! A certain level of immigration is great, and fab.

But would you be happy, for example, with unlimited immigration? Really? Would you be happy for 100 million immigrants to come here, say?

Sounds too much surely, where and how would they all live?!

So... How about 10 million immigrants? Maybe doable?

Maybe 1 million would be more manageable? Maybe that is actually too little, considering the amount of poor people in war torn countries looking for a better life.

Should there be any limitation of the number?

And if not, would you be happy to pay 60% or later 80% tax to keep the nhs, schools etc going for so many people? 90%? Everything you own to more deserving people ? ( I would say most immigrants are more deserving of my lifestyle than I am myself!)

What do you think? ( genuine question) OP?

Original poster
Mimstar · 09/09/2013 19:36

Maybe I am naive, but I feel like for a lot of people - they are coming here to escape a standard of living than we could comprehend here. And I will echo the others who have said that the immigrants that I have known and worked with have been extremely hardworking.

OP posts:
SubliminalMassaging · 09/09/2013 19:39

Immigration has issues of concern beyond those of mere xenophobia.

This. ^

And if you don't understand that then you really do have your head in wonderland.

tuffie · 09/09/2013 19:39

Well said noisytoys.

ConfusedPixie · 09/09/2013 19:40

"Immigration is an issue that needs to be addressed, thinking that it isn't an issue is rather naïve.

However, attitudes towards immigration in this country stink, I hate how everyone is an expert on the subject when actually they know fuck all about it and are happy to believe everything printed in whatever rag they chose to read."

^^ That sums up my feelings on it actually.

It drives me mad when my Dad goes on about the bloody foreigners based on what he's seen on TV. He is an immigrant. He came over here as a student in the 70's/80's and didn't go back (to Iran). Now a big part of why he wouldn't go back then was the revolution, god knows what his excuse is these days, refuses to admit he's a foreigner though Hmm

Original poster
Mimstar · 09/09/2013 19:40

I think you are being a bit insulting Parmarella - I am not simple minded, thank you very much. Were you attempting to make a genuine point? It's hard to figure out what with the whole 'next we'll be having to give away our worldly belongings to those in need!'

OP posts:
helenaconhambarter · 09/09/2013 19:41

I think immigration is only a good thing if the net increase is very gradual and the majority of those who come here, contribute more to the economy & society than they take out. At the moment I don't believe either of those factors are the case in the UK.

Original poster
Mimstar · 09/09/2013 19:46

It is more the attitudes towards immigrants who are already here, there is a horrible bitterness amongst many people who seem to believe that immigrants are richer/better off/have a bag of magic beans that they don't deserve.

If people have issues, that should be addressed to the government, but I see a lot of vitriol directed towards immigrants themselves.

OP posts: