Immigration into the U.K.

What a depressing evening’s Television. There was the programme concerning immigration into Slough. We are told of under funding by Central Government, resulting from misinterpretation of the number of persons who move either in or out of the Community; albeit they come from Putney or abroad. There seemed to be little evidence that many of those filmed had ever been indigenous Londoners.

Numerical discrepancies allegedly exacerbated the shortage of accommodation and had a deleterious affect on the provision of local Education, and the provision of the Social Services that the elderly and all others might rightfully claim. That latter complaint came from a retired lady seemingly of Indian Origin. There was talk of sixty tongues spoken, the which ranged the full Babel from Poland through Africa to the sub Continent.

If the facts are, as were represented, the area is a hot bed of discontent. One was told of small rooming houses that accommodate any number of persons. There was mention of eighteen in one and although Services had to be provided for all, the relevant Community Charge paid represented a fair share for but ‘a nuclear family’ We were advised that it will take the Council over twenty years to catch up on the Statutory Inspection ,obligatory for such shared accommodation even on the current statistic. Then we were shown newly constructed alleged brick garden sheds which in reality are immediately used as accommodation, an occupancy of over twenty was attributed to one such unit for which a rent of £160 a week was alleged to be paid. What price Peter Rackman now, what of the stupidity of the Conservative Government that initiated the sale of the Council House Stock in the late seventies?

Elsewhere there are reports of Immigrants booking into Universities, and after arriving in the Country, a high proportion of them disappear; presumably to become illegal immigrants? In tonight’s programme one gentleman interviewed advised that he had entered the country on another’s Passport. There was too a gathering of Dutch Refugees who originated from greater Africa. They seemed to be discontented with the hospitality this country extended to them, the interviewer asked them why they did not choose to go home, apparently they ‘could not do so’; possibly Holland would be less welcoming. We were shown others persons begging in the streets, and deposits of casual defecation where so ever, and were told of the arrival of unaccompanied children from abroad, and Roamers Families. May their God Bless them all.

Why is it that so many in this Country seem sceptical concerning this ingress of Immigrants. Feel that too few are here as real refugees, but have arrived because this country is seen as a ‘soft touch’. Why is it that we abandoned the integrity of our Borders? Was that withdrawal of the majority of Immigration Officers from our Ports another brain wave of a Thatcher Government?
Now in the name of Political Correctness the indigenous Brit. is as liable to be hard processed when entering or leaving the country as is an uninvited immigrant.
It is undoubtedly the case that the UK has lost control of its borders. It is time that we mended our fences. There is talk of instituting the Australian Points system for worker entry. If that is the answer stop huffing around, and get on with the scheme. It is fine to have so many from Europe in our midst, but unfortunately too many will be unwelcome. To paraphrase Dickens,

‘If Government thinks anything else, Government is a fool’

The Tax Payer does not pay Government to procrastinate. For too long there has been the stench of incompetence about Westminster. One can not blame others for taking advantage of the door the UK leaves ajar. However all will criticise any shade of Governance whose dereliction of due diligence has contributed the present debacle.

One hears in mitigation that the UK needs workers from abroad, and that when they come they all pay taxes, and many do the jobs that others won’t do. A high proportion seemingly remit funds home rather than spend the money in the UK. Even so all are entitled to benefits whether medical, educational, unemployment or Retirement Pensions; and to be accommodated by the local Council if in need. In Slough, seemingly after a year’s local employment any available Council owned house can go to an Immigrant family, providing its need is the greater on the housing list.

The first thought that raises is ‘Why won’t we as a Nation do the jobs immigrant workers are willing to do? Are there some of us who need not food nor shelter, have no bills to pay?’ I see no reason to pay anyone ‘Benefits’ to an extent that sufficient money comes into a household to make idleness near as profitable as industry. What is this nonsense about ‘Tax Credits ?’ Employees should be paid a fair rate for their work and it is not the concern of the rest of the population to subsidise industry. We can not all be brain surgeons, for one thing there is a shortage of brains. If we as a nation are not prepared to do the jobs on offer, then do not pay benefits in cash. There are other ways of providing for the innocent members of a family.

I suppose those of us who were brought up as children in the second world war, did not expect much and thus were not disappointed. When I started work in the City, one worked five and a half days a week. The suit on ones back came on ‘An Account’ at Austin Reeds. After paying that every month, and contributing to ones keep’ and paying for ones train ticket into work from a salary of £270 per annum, less tax and National Insurance; one had maybe the current equivalent if 150 pence a month to spend on wine women and song. It is marvellous that University is now available to all, and one can get married or not, and become a Larger Lout, but things never were so then. However we all paid our own way, expected no hand outs, but I do recall being absent from work one eligible day through sickness. I was required to claim the nominal equivalent of seventeen and a half pence from the National Insurance, and pay it to my employer.

If now Government sees fit to give sole occupiers of houses or families on lower incomes, or SECOND HOME owners discounts on their Community Charge, why should such credits come from the pockets of other Community Charge Payers, rather than Central Government?

Next time we have an Election tell irresponsible Members of Parliament that it is time for them to make way for others. If a member is as the saying goes ‘Past his or her Sell by date’ kick them out. Too many are not worth their salt. Is it any wonder that so few of us bother to vote in an Election. Tuesday, 24 July 2007