Blair's comments yesterday on immigration:
28 April 2004, 02:52 PM
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Blair's comments yesterday on immigration:
“We cannot simply dismiss any concern about immigration as racism.
“In part, what has put immigration back up the agenda — with public concern at its highest since the 1970s — is that there are real, not imagined, abuses of the system that lead to a sense of unfairness.”
“There are high profile examples of the absurd, like radical clerics coming here to preach religious hate, people staying here to peddle support for terrorism.”
"The combination of all these things ... led to a crunch point. That is where we are now. These are real concerns. They are not figments of racist imagination."
"The vast bulk of the British people are not racist. It is in their nature to be moderate."
"But they expect government to respond to their worries. They can accept migration that is controlled and selective."
"They accept and welcome migrants who play by the rules. But they will not accept abuse or absurdity. Why should they?"
Well, about time too.
There's a few who post on here that should have these words ringing *loudly* in their ears (K and M spring to mind).
I just hope it's not more 'lip service' and that he really intends to do something about it. With his track record though, it seems unlikely. Just another case of saying what people want to hear.
I, however, feel vindicated by these comments, as should the others on here that have been brave enough to discuss these issues over the last few months.
UB
“In part, what has put immigration back up the agenda — with public concern at its highest since the 1970s — is that there are real, not imagined, abuses of the system that lead to a sense of unfairness.”
“There are high profile examples of the absurd, like radical clerics coming here to preach religious hate, people staying here to peddle support for terrorism.”
"The combination of all these things ... led to a crunch point. That is where we are now. These are real concerns. They are not figments of racist imagination."
"The vast bulk of the British people are not racist. It is in their nature to be moderate."
"But they expect government to respond to their worries. They can accept migration that is controlled and selective."
"They accept and welcome migrants who play by the rules. But they will not accept abuse or absurdity. Why should they?"
Well, about time too.
There's a few who post on here that should have these words ringing *loudly* in their ears (K and M spring to mind).I just hope it's not more 'lip service' and that he really intends to do something about it. With his track record though, it seems unlikely. Just another case of saying what people want to hear.
I, however, feel vindicated by these comments, as should the others on here that have been brave enough to discuss these issues over the last few months.
UB
28 April 2004, 03:15 PM
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Local elections coming up, Labour spouts something that people want to hear, people buy it, vote for them, they do nothing
28 April 2004, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ProperCharlie
brave sir robin.
I'm not going to dig through the archive looking for quotes, but the levels of (often very personal) vitriol and abuse people were subjected to was sometimes quite disgraceful.
Perhaps now it will stop, and sensible discussions can take place in an atmosphere of toleration.
UB
28 April 2004, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Neanderthal
Local elections coming up, Labour spouts something that people want to hear, people buy it, vote for them, they do nothing
UB
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28 April 2004, 03:27 PM
#8
Originally Posted by Neanderthal
Local elections coming up, Labour spouts something that people want to hear, people buy it, vote for them, they do nothing
28 April 2004, 03:30 PM
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Point is that OF COURSE there are absurd cases, but the much-touted view that Britain is about to sink under the weight of a million immigrants is, and always has been, ludicrous.
And those who seek to propogate that view are often doing it with an ulterior motive; d'you really think the BNP are that interested in economics? Of course not - they just don't like people of other races. As many/most of us are descended from immigrants this is a bit rich, don't you think?
I heard something this morning about the "thousands" of Roma gypsy "illegal immigrants" who are going to flood Britain. The problem is that these people are either Hungarian or Slovakian citizens ...as these countries are joining the EU on Saturday morning it's rather difficult to claim they're illegal. (This leaves aside the question of whether these countries should be joining the EU, which we could debate until the cows come home.)
The problem is not just illegal immigration (though clearly this goes on) but misinformed and bigoted reporting by the red-tops (and, shamefully, by the ever-more-sensationalist BBC).
And those who seek to propogate that view are often doing it with an ulterior motive; d'you really think the BNP are that interested in economics? Of course not - they just don't like people of other races. As many/most of us are descended from immigrants this is a bit rich, don't you think?
I heard something this morning about the "thousands" of Roma gypsy "illegal immigrants" who are going to flood Britain. The problem is that these people are either Hungarian or Slovakian citizens ...as these countries are joining the EU on Saturday morning it's rather difficult to claim they're illegal. (This leaves aside the question of whether these countries should be joining the EU, which we could debate until the cows come home.)
The problem is not just illegal immigration (though clearly this goes on) but misinformed and bigoted reporting by the red-tops (and, shamefully, by the ever-more-sensationalist BBC).
28 April 2004, 03:35 PM
#10
A bit late, suddenly to realise you got it wrong, with open doors only 3 days away!!!
If Lying labour do OWT it'll be too little, too late, and it'll STILL surprise me if they do owt at all.
They talk the good talk, ( "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime", and "education, education, education,"), but when it comes to walking the walk.........................forget it
Lying Labour: the most disappointing party to come to power in the last 100 years!
Alcazar
If Lying labour do OWT it'll be too little, too late, and it'll STILL surprise me if they do owt at all.
They talk the good talk, ( "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime", and "education, education, education,"), but when it comes to walking the walk.........................forget it
Lying Labour: the most disappointing party to come to power in the last 100 years!
Alcazar
28 April 2004, 03:54 PM
#11
Originally Posted by the moose
Point is that OF COURSE there are absurd cases, but the much-touted view that Britain is about to sink under the weight of a million immigrants is, and always has been, ludicrous.
And those who seek to propogate that view are often doing it with an ulterior motive; d'you really think the BNP are that interested in economics? Of course not - they just don't like people of other races. As many/most of us are descended from immigrants this is a bit rich, don't you think?
I heard something this morning about the "thousands" of Roma gypsy "illegal immigrants" who are going to flood Britain. The problem is that these people are either Hungarian or Slovakian citizens ...as these countries are joining the EU on Saturday morning it's rather difficult to claim they're illegal. (This leaves aside the question of whether these countries should be joining the EU, which we could debate until the cows come home.)
The problem is not just illegal immigration (though clearly this goes on) but misinformed and bigoted reporting by the red-tops (and, shamefully, by the ever-more-sensationalist BBC).
And those who seek to propogate that view are often doing it with an ulterior motive; d'you really think the BNP are that interested in economics? Of course not - they just don't like people of other races. As many/most of us are descended from immigrants this is a bit rich, don't you think?
I heard something this morning about the "thousands" of Roma gypsy "illegal immigrants" who are going to flood Britain. The problem is that these people are either Hungarian or Slovakian citizens ...as these countries are joining the EU on Saturday morning it's rather difficult to claim they're illegal. (This leaves aside the question of whether these countries should be joining the EU, which we could debate until the cows come home.)
The problem is not just illegal immigration (though clearly this goes on) but misinformed and bigoted reporting by the red-tops (and, shamefully, by the ever-more-sensationalist BBC).
The problem isnt with imigrants who use the system to get out of a difficult and serious situation in there own country but the ones that abuse the system and our goodwill for allowing them in the country. No offence meant but i believe your opinion is ludicrous and that you are very gullable in thinking otherwise.
Andy
28 April 2004, 05:23 PM
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The problem is not just illegal immigration (though clearly this goes on) but misinformed and bigoted reporting by the red-tops
UB
29 April 2004, 06:39 PM
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hmmm.. more drivel from Blair I see.
I honestly believe that if things aren't SEEN to be sorted out to the point where Mr UK Average thinks that the "native" population are being looked after to the same extent it is percieved that immigrants are looked after then there WILL be race riots etc.
Just using housing as an example - how many times have you heard "I've been on the list for a flat for 8 months and those asylum seekers got a house in 4 weeks" or something similar in the news?
How many pensioners are turned out of care homes while more and more "economic migrants" are coming into the country?
Regardless of if any of it's true or not, thats the sort of thing that gets reported and causes resentment.
He can say what he likes, but he'll have a heck of a job actually doing anything that Joe Public will see or hear about to any extent.
"Local couple get flat - asylum seeker complains of racial discrimintaion but is found to be here illegally and is subsequently deported" - when did you see THAT ever reported? I'm sure it happens, but it's hardly going to sell papers.
I honestly believe that if things aren't SEEN to be sorted out to the point where Mr UK Average thinks that the "native" population are being looked after to the same extent it is percieved that immigrants are looked after then there WILL be race riots etc.
Just using housing as an example - how many times have you heard "I've been on the list for a flat for 8 months and those asylum seekers got a house in 4 weeks" or something similar in the news?
How many pensioners are turned out of care homes while more and more "economic migrants" are coming into the country?
Regardless of if any of it's true or not, thats the sort of thing that gets reported and causes resentment.
He can say what he likes, but he'll have a heck of a job actually doing anything that Joe Public will see or hear about to any extent.
"Local couple get flat - asylum seeker complains of racial discrimintaion but is found to be here illegally and is subsequently deported" - when did you see THAT ever reported? I'm sure it happens, but it's hardly going to sell papers.
29 April 2004, 07:59 PM
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"Local couple get flat - asylum seeker complains of racial discrimintaion but is found to be here illegally and is subsequently deported" - when did you see THAT ever reported? I'm sure it happens, but it's hardly going to sell papers.
UB
30 April 2004, 11:52 AM
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Blair claimed earlier this month that Immigration had nothing to do with the shortage of homes in this country, he changed his mind on that this week as well.
I have little faith in Blair and his monkeys and will wait and see what happens.
I have little faith in Blair and his monkeys and will wait and see what happens.
30 April 2004, 12:01 PM
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Slighty off topic but sort of related.. did anyone else get a phone call from a survey company last night asking a 'theoretical question' about voting during local elections?
Thought it was very strange for someone to phone out of the blue and ask who i would vote for if there were local elections next week in Sheffield
..... don't think they were impressed with the answer i gave them 
Promising words from Tony there. Actions speak louder than words and all that
Thought it was very strange for someone to phone out of the blue and ask who i would vote for if there were local elections next week in Sheffield
..... don't think they were impressed with the answer i gave them Promising words from Tony there. Actions speak louder than words and all that
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