The Immigration Wrecking Ball

The UK government has decided to focus on immigration as a key element of its election campaigning in 2015. It isn’t exactly clear how this will translate into a social improvement manifesto. This focus on immigration dates back to the local interest in the BNP some years ago; and the current wave of popularity enjoyed by UKIP now. What it doesn’t equate to is a clear mandate for social action outside the apocalyptic promises that stoke the fears of the British electorate.

There has been a lot of finger pointing at the European Union as one of the causes of the rise in immigration into the UK. This is despite the fact that evidence shows that the most recent lifting of travel restrictions amongst a number of East European countries did not actually result in a net increase in immigration. It also ignores the fact that every year there are more British people travelling to live in European countries for work and personal reasons. However, the establishment and settlement of ethnic European groups in UK towns has become a sign of a siege akin to a plague of locusts.

The fears of the local populace about immigration are very varied and sometimes echoes of stricken statements by political and interest groups. Of recent claims have been made about immigration affecting British values, contributing to terrorism, draining welfare benefits, taking up available jobs, reducing availability of social housing, or contributing to crime and disorder. It is questionable how much of this true for a significant amount of immigrants. Nonetheless the perceived threat from immigration has become painfully real in the minds of many British people.

Recently a television presenter implied that immigration was a factor in the erosion of the British value of tolerance and inclusion. This was in response to the Government’s demand for schools to start teaching and promoting British values as part of the curriculum. Yet one may recall the oppression of the masses in feudal times; and more recently the "No dogs, Irish or Blacks" signs that were popular post world war 2 and the most British Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood" speech.

The idea that immigrants have swamped the benefits system is a very attractive argument often heard in pubs and marketplaces. Yet there is a qualifying period before migrants can claim benefits by which time most have secured jobs or left. And it can't be illegal aliens hoovering up these benefits since they aren't eligible at all.

The assertion that migrants are taking up jobs meant for honest hardworking Brits does beg the question of aren't British companies the ones employing them. So either there aren't enough hardworking Brits to fill jobs or they just don't fancy the jobs available. In which case it would appear migrants are actually helping shore up the British economy! Surely that can't be true. Migrants are supposed to be the cancer eating away at British values and wellbeing. A recent study reports that in the last 17 years EU migrants have contributed £5b to the UK economy.

While migration presents some challenges turning the issue into a xenophobic feasting frenzy only serves to hide the real issues undermining British values - low achievement in education and a growing work shy attitude. But telling home truths was never a good basis on which to run a political campaign.