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.

I can call House now we've had 'taking our jobs' and 'don't live in the real world'.

I tried to make Twatbadger happen ...didn't catch on

Narnia was lovely until all those forrin types came in through the eurotunnel wardrobe

This is my only chance to play Bingo so please continue people I get shouted at in the bingo halls for talking too loudly

The problem with Narnia is that those bloody furrin kids turned up and started taking people's jobs, ie, the White Witch.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude Probably because the Spanish are a lot more hospitable at a guess :)

And I think Twatbadger is genius Gordy

I must listen carefully to the horses in the back field to see if they neigh with a foreign accent. They're making it feel awfully overcrowded, here

Little People, what like Fisher Price?

Be careful OP, one of them looks a bit, well, you know, foreign (gasp).

My experience of monocultural environments is entirely negative.

^^ this.

Places I've lived in Russia, the US (the UK, but buggered if I'm stupid enough to specify where! ), Istanbul, Seoul and Tokyo - all incredibly high levels of intolerance and xenophobia. As if there's anything special about inbreeding for eight centuries

It's ok, Chipped, he's only the one who runs the garage. Mexican or summat. Not an important job, but he probably took it from someone who was BORN HERE!!!

My DH didn't get dressed up for a Halloween party we went to, so to avoid disapproving comments about not joining in I just introduced him as an immigrant. Britain's modern day horror story

It went down a storm.

Why is this thread still here?

You asked for postitives. We live in a very multicultural rich area. I think there are about 35 languages spoken as a mother tongue in the children at the kids school, and I have lots of positive thoughts on this.

My children know so much about the world from their friends, they are fasinated by languages, foods, travel, other religions, other ideals and customs far more than I ever was in my dull suburban upbringing. My children want to see more of the world, they have an understanding that their atheist parents aren't the only ones with opinions.

My neighbours celebrate not only Christmas, Easter & Halloween but muslim, sikh, polish, Irish and a various other cultural events. Whats not to like.

Economically immigrants have brought in far more than they have taken.

And finally immigration has brought me my parents marriage, my best friend, my wonderful neighbours, my DS2, DS3 and DDs best friends.

Oh and curry.

Don't know usual, I reported it waaaaaaay back.

Thought it would have gone pfft by now.

The fukin 3 bed flat next to me is occupied by Indian/Pakistani family who do not work. I know for a fact they get everything paid for by the state the woman told me (in broken english). As we were having a conversation about the council tax in our building. So whilst im dragging my sorry arse out of the bedroom that i share with my son and get ready for work I get pissed off that the lot next door are laying in bedrooms whilst my taxes pay for their rent and they are not even English (and can barely speak it). Now tell me im wrong. And if you lot think that is right then no wonder this country has gone to the dogs.

Positives about immigration? Well I'm here

Woof

and my children

and well all speak un-broken English

You are wrong

woof

OP, you keep saying people don't see what's around them the way you do. Yet you say "Its weird if you walk around and never hear an English voice." And I frankly don't believe you. You might walk down the occasional street and not hear English voices, but you won't spend a whole day in that situation; and indeed I've come across that walking round Westminster and fighting my way through hordes of tourists. And anyway, what does it matter? This country is built on immigration going back for centuries, not just the last 20 years as you seem to imagine.

Mylovelyboy

Well, what about all the work-shy British, born here scroungers, who get everything paid for and have no intention of working?

Or is it just the immigrants you're concerned about?

But you're not racist...