Clearing the Immigrants in Calaise

[Bobbisox]

There is something very wrong when camps are being set up and people with small children, are prepared to live in such squalor, to get to the UK, The Le gendarmre are flexing their muscles once again and clearing the camps, but just what are soft touch Britain doing about it?
These people deliberatley destroy their passports so they cannot be sent back, they claim they do not understand anything said to them, and when they do get in, illegally work to send money back to their country of origin, Why is Britain so soft on immigration? successive goverments have waffled on now for years, but actually done nothing at all

[sophie_1003]

No the immigrants who work there probably don't pay NI and tax, however, I seem to recall the pay was quite good, they did cite the amount in the article but I can't remember how much it was now. Also the jobs were being advertised and as such British people could have applied for them (I may be mistaken but isn't there a law stating the jobs must be offered to British people before immigrants?) in which case I am assuming they would have paid tax and NI. I have watched UK Border Force but take it somewhat as propaganda as it always seems to be saying "Look at what we're doing to protect the country" rather than giving a true picture of what the situation is really like.

[Bobbisox]

Border Force do what they can, but when you see the same imigrants who have 'tried again and again' actually smiling at them as if to say "I'ts a fair cop" or the ones from Brazil who claim to be Portugues..grrrrrr

[sophie_1003]

That's why I think we should be helping people in their own countries Bobbisox. Although helping countries as a whole would cost the same or more than the current situation of helping individuals who come to this country for a better life it would surely be a better situation than the one we are currently in.

[tamborine]

Immigrants are a potential vote for Labour!

[Bobbisox]

that would be a monumental task Spohie, we are a tiny welfare state, struugling like most with the economic dowturn, we can't just go into these countries with a blank cheque book, they would have to help themselves and be seen to be a democracy, to go in and try to change that would be tantamount to an invasion, we just don't have the money ot the resources to do it

[ELVIS68]

Why should we help them?....charity begins at home, I`d rather this country spent more money finding a cure for cancer than helping out these people whose governments have enough money of their own

[Bobbisox]

then they would go back on their word tamb, just as they all have before them

[sophie_1003]

I did admit I was being idealistic and obviously Britain on it's own couldn't solve the problem, it would require the cooperation of all 'rich' countries, however, I would rather be idealistic than resigned to the fact that there will always be some countries better off than others.

[DEN53]

Morning Joy & Co - I watched this on the news last night - they reported that most of these men were from Afghanistan - and yes they are desperate and why are they so set on coming to Britain - yes because of our welfare system - which is cracking under the pressure of immigrants. My 80 year old Mum & Dad live in Barking, East London - the place has been transformed by immigrants - not for the better I might add. The town centre is unrecognisable. I could go into more detail, which would make your hair curl - but will be branded a racist for speaking the truth.

[pericat]

I know where you're coming from den and it's very hard to put into words without sounding racist . Have you ever seen the film 'crash' btw - great film showing the frustrations of racism from all sides

[ELVIS68]

I agree with you DEN53, on The One Show last night they were reporting on the Afganistans desperate to come to Britain and in the studio Matt Lucas came out with this gem..."I think we should welcome them and their culture, that`s what`s so good about Britain these days"

[New Judge]

Whenever this topic is raised it is always met with a reply that because we have an army of home grown feckless work shy layabouts already here, that we should continue to absorb vast numbers of foreigners, some of whom might or might not do the work that the home grown lot “will not”.

As I have said many times on AB, the idea that we should continue to import labour (and it is by no means certain that is what we would be doing if we absorbed some of the Calais migrants) whilst continuing to pay millions of people already here to sit on the backsides is so absurd as to be ridiculous. The two matters are not related. Both need addressing: one by cutting out benefits for people who will not take jobs where they are available and within their capabilities (even if it means they are only a few pounds better off by working); the other by keeping out people with no legitimate right to settle here.

And to dispel a couple of myths that seem to have sprung up in this thread:

The would-be migrants in Calais are indeed exclusively male adults, most of them under 30. I have been to Calais a number of times and driven through the affected areas. There are no women, children or older men to be seen. Nor will you see any on the TV news reports, not because the reports have been edited. They would love to show women and children living in squalor, but there are not any. The women and children are either already in the UK or will be admitted “on humanitarian grounds” (or more likely to comply with Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention) as soon as the male is granted leave to stay here.

The UK is not a rich country, sophie. It is in debt to a level never before seen in peacetime, thanks largely to the profligacy of this wretched government and its “prudent” Chancellor (now the Prime Minister). This situation will take a generation or more to rectify and we do not have money to splash on

[New Judge]

[You get no warning on new AB when your answer is too long]

...foreigners, either at home or abroad.

[DEN53]

Elvis - I missed the One Show last night - but never a truer word uttered, I think.

Hi Peri - you have to be careful what you say here on AB - I got called a racist on here once for saying I thought Golly dolls were just that - dolls - well the b0ll0cking I got was ridiculous.

[Sqad]

DEN...LOL

[sophie_1003]

But compared to some countries we are rich, I'm not saying that there is no poverty here but compared to the scale of poverty in third world countries we have got quite cushty lives here in Britain.

[DEN53]

Judge is correct - as soon as these young men can arrive on our shores - the door is open for their wives, mothers, fathers,brothers, sisters, uncle tom cobley and all to come here. This is so apparent in Barking - houses where my Mum & Dad live are being rented out - it starts with perhaps 2 people, then within a few weeks there are numerous people living in one house. Then children start to arrive, none speak English, but are granted places at local schools. There is no 'going on appeal' for them, their children get school places.

Then Nanny & Grandad arrive, free healthcare, opticians, dental, help with housing. My friend works as a receptionist at an Optician in Barking - they sign the NHS free treatment form and do not have to show any identification - even the younger members of the family who are 'students' - my friend said some of these young men are clearly NOT students. but sign the forms as such and are not challenged. There can be 20 people living a the same address, sometimes with similar names.

It makes you want to 'spit blood' as my old Nan used to say.

[Bobbisox]

if it makes me racist for wanting my own country back....then I too, am a racist DEN, if you don't put anything in then how the hell do you expect to just take it out free gratis???
the thread has taken a turn now from the immigration problem to GDP, please could we stick to the intended topic
imjasonbourne?

bobbi