to be concerned re. what is going on re. immigration and population growth?

[ClarityJane]

So many non-English voices, especially East Europeans, but so many different nationalities en masse it seems have moved here in the last 10-20 years - completely unprecedented historically. And in an already very over-crowded island.

Today I read Labour MP Frank Field say that the population increase due to immigration by 2031, i.e. less than 20 years, will be approximately 10 million and will require building something like seven new Birminghams! Or another London! Based on latest predictions in the papers today anyway.

Did Blair and Mandelson envisage this when they signed up for European Community rules on immigration and refugees? Or did they cynically not care because it meant cheap labour, cheap votes, increased profits (via membership of the European Community).

Did the architects of this policy not consider how it would affect housing, jobs and education and the resulting massive investment needed there, and the over-crowded population we have already.

I believe we have never been consulted or told anything honestly about what the consequences of EC membership was immigration-wise, if indeed there was ever any plan (doesn't seem to be, just a kind of opportunistic carpetbaggers philosophy approach of selling England by the pound).

I feel deceived and hoodwinked really. But are there any more positive thoughts on this? I find it v. depressing.

as cunning as a fox who's just been made professor of cunning at Oxford Univesity

We applied to join the EU in 1969 - over 40 years ago, that's years ago in my book, not last fucking week.

But then I'm a house / job / benefit stealing immigrant, what do I know.

shouts YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH in a dramatic stylee

This thread reminds me why I love the British. And Mn.

And please tell me what it means to have a "chippy tea" - I think I had one today. In my busy schedule I stopped by the fish and chips shop to have dinner. Nobody would be home for dinner. Ds2 at playdate. Ds1 gets Tea in school at 4 pm, dh was away, and just me. Fish and Chips. Salt & Vinegar. How bloody ace is that????

I don't think the political/economic elite across Europe (and other Western countries) expected the sort of demographic collapse that occurred in the latter part of the century. True, there was a bit of a baby boom immediately after the war but that actually didn't continue very long and in reality was only among those who benefited from it (not many obviously). The models of economic growth they relied upon for continued properity ( mostly theirs) depends on having more and more people to buy the stuff from their companies. So of course, no babies means the balance sheets look awful after a while. It's also a misunderstanding that immigration has only increased so labour is cheap - many immigrants are very highly educated and can/do command good wages. I do think the social ramifications are a bit sad - we did have many wars waged on/with us (certainly did in my family), then got laughed at for our poverty and poor educations (still do) and then the shock of being replaced with immigration. I can completely understand the sincere angst among many but not for one second do I hold the immigrants themselves at fault (married to a lovely one).

Quintes

That totally constitutes a chippy tea.

And I'm very jealous [cross]

mylovelyboy - I came over long after the UK joined the EU. Should I leave?

Lem please report post and get MNHQ to clarify I am not OP.

I nearly had a chippy tea tonight. Then DD said she'd rather have McDonalds. Bloody immigrants bringing their shit chips over here...

I agree! Them Roomaynians are living in my bath

Fookin, you mean?

I smell something fishy and I am not talking about the contents of Baldrick's apple crumble!

TED: The Chinese. A great bunch of lads!

Boom boom boom boom.
Boom boom boom boom.
Boom boom boom boom.

Oi, I ate my fish'n chips already!

calamity clarity Jane, what is it about foreign voices that makes you feel uncomfortable?

I would like to know where the OP and her ilk draw the line. I'm Irish: do I have to go back to Ireland? Do Australians? Canadians? Americans? South Africans? Or is it just those nasty foreigners who have brown skin and/or speak a different language?

To be fair, I wish they'd stop building mega-blocks of flats round our way without laying on extra public transport, because the trains to London are already full to bursting - but that's not immigration, that's piss poor planning, builders trying to make a quick buck, buy-to-let landlords cashing in and a total lack of integrated thinking. All of which are indigenous problems and nothing to do with them forriners.

I may be a weak and feeble woman... but I have the heart and stomach of a concrete elephant!

Did someone mention jam?
And no one's said cunt for at least five minutes. I've been busily feeding my infant and none of you worthless cuntylicious cunts could fill the cunt void and say cunt?