Having no discernible “foreign” forbears (other than my great (to the power of 5) uncle coming from Cornwall), I on one hand count my blessings, but on the other am totally sickened by the governments pandering to all this immigrant rhetoric whilst the Moonrakers and other assorted knuckledraggers think it’s perfectly fine to shout and point fingers at people who have the temerity to want/need to come to this country and are perfectly prepared to contribute and integrate into our society.
The more I see of “our society” the less inclined am I to want to be considered part of it. I am actually ashamed of the country I was born in, the attitude of the government, and what I am told is a “small percentage” of the small minded flagshaggers who have caused this mess.
This doesn’t feel like the country I was born in, although I know there were the “No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs” signs even in the late 60’s. I thought/hoped we’d overcome that level of intolerance for people come here, but I’m finding myself sadly mistaken.
I saw signs like that in the doorways of London pubs in the late 80s except instead of Irish on the not welcome list they said Travellers. I didn't understand what that meant at the time and thought it was tourists they didn't like.
2016 saw the Brexit referendum and Trump's first 'win'. Both of these elections have unsettled and wrecked the lives of many thousands, probably millions of people.
Sadly, I don't believe these two events to be coincidences.
Very worryingly, Project 2025 now appears to be in full swing in USA. It is happening because (inexplicable though this is to most 'decent' people), and more dangerous than ever before, Trump is back in the White House.
Deliberately designed to perform all of the dreadful acts of cruelty that we hear of, read about and see happening - but apparently are helpless to prevent, Project 2025 is eugenics in action.
Brexit happened, at least partly because of Britain's supposed 'special relationship' with USA. But in reality, this nonsensical idea of exceptionalism and superiority is what allows bigots, misogynists and racists to normalise hatred for anyone who they determine might be different.
I'm so sorry for this and for everyone who remembers why this appalling brutality was supposed to never happen again.
Thanks for sharing your story Bear! It’ll be a decade for me too in December since I moved here from Pakistan! I feel what you’re describing and am worried that if Reform comes in, I’ll become a second-tier citizen… Unfortunately, it’s not just the UK where this might happen… Recently, Belgium passed a law allowing it to strip naturalised citizens of their nationality if they commit serious crimes… Having a passport isn’t the security it used to be.
The political direction of travel has been clear for some time. Essentially politics today seeks out groups to other, stigmatise and oppress.
Immigrants, refugees, the disabled, trans are all lined up for a big dose of spite in action.
All to appease the right wing media and that part of the population that desperately needs to look down on and attack people of whom they don’t approve.
I have to agree entirely with these sentiments. I would absolutely hate it for people such as yourself were treated unfairly on account of an accident of birth.
Are there any stats on how many EU workers were here between the widening of the EU to encompass those from outside the "original" group post 1991 and when Brexit and the pandemic led many to leave? I mean is the newer post-Brexit migration on TOP of it or is some of it INSTEAD of people who lived and worked here but left? I am wondering if that was even countable because of free movement?
It's funny, I was listening to a book about European history and there was an idea, post WW2, that bringing Europe together would prevent future world wars. That was now over 80s years ago.
The climate has changed so much, but the rhetoric is reminiscent of a time before that war when nationalism and "who belongs" led to antisemitism in Europe and for the US to start changing their migrant policies - 1900-1945 - both of which in retrospect contributed massively to the holocaust by limiting the choices for Jewish people to escape the hostile climate in Europe and move elsewhere in the global north.
This is where the direction of travel of nations is going again, the US's hostility to migrants, European far-right rhetoric... and neither seems to care that it was this kind of nationalist fervour that ended up with tens of millions dead on the killing fields of (mostly) eastern Europe.
I guess they don't care.
Despite the invasion or Ukraine and all the new "conversations" about Israel being raised in the aftermath of 7th October
Lawmakers, politicians, media figures, completely oblivious to how the decisions they're making now are likely to lead to untold future suffering and another generation one day likely wringing their hands and going "never again".
I was reading an article about a forthcoming lecture by Lucy Worsley, the historian, author and presenter, which started with a quotation from her which said "History isn't really about the past at all. It is a way of investigating and reflecting on who we are today "
That quotation keeps coming back to me in the context of my own family history that continues growing today. We know from research that our ancestors are a mixture of Viking, Norman, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and other European tribes all interbred and unrecognisable - except possibly some of our long Norman type noses. Many of our neighbours and friends are of mixed English, Asian and African blood and all of us regard ourselves as British, but without needing to deny our ancestry and their languages.
We now find a group of our citizens who seem to assume British means one race and skin tone, but nothing could be further from the truth. The first inhabitants of this island were Nubians so that I fail to see why skin or clothing should even be a factor to consider.
It boils down to politically idle people who wish to artificially scare people into opposing anyone looking different or wishing to come here for refuge or economic survival. We need them here to help run our country and we should be processing applications on the other side of the channel rather than trying to sink boats or set hostels on fire. Religion should not come into it as we will never be a theocracy.
What these white, privileged, apes don’t understand, is that if the UK starts sending people “back where they came from”, then other governments are going to do the same. Are they ready for the sudden arrival of almost 11,000,000 refugees from Australia? Thats just from one colonised country, and the UK is the king of colonialism.
But why? We know we need people from other countries so why would Labour do this, I know you say to out reform reform but I just can’t or maybe don’t want to believe it. People believe there is some sort of invasion because “we are a soft touch” so is this just part of a strategy to reduce the number of people who actually want to be here? We would all wish to see an end to people risking life and limb to get here so is this to help that and in reality more people can come in quietly in numbers that are seen to be necessary and the whole thing will become less of a political hot potato? I just don’t see Labour as being deliberately cruel because they believe the lies of FauxRage and his ilk. Personally I am entitled to an Irish passport, wonder where that would land me?
Having no discernible “foreign” forbears (other than my great (to the power of 5) uncle coming from Cornwall), I on one hand count my blessings, but on the other am totally sickened by the governments pandering to all this immigrant rhetoric whilst the Moonrakers and other assorted knuckledraggers think it’s perfectly fine to shout and point fingers at people who have the temerity to want/need to come to this country and are perfectly prepared to contribute and integrate into our society.
The more I see of “our society” the less inclined am I to want to be considered part of it. I am actually ashamed of the country I was born in, the attitude of the government, and what I am told is a “small percentage” of the small minded flagshaggers who have caused this mess.
This doesn’t feel like the country I was born in, although I know there were the “No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs” signs even in the late 60’s. I thought/hoped we’d overcome that level of intolerance for people come here, but I’m finding myself sadly mistaken.
I saw signs like that in the doorways of London pubs in the late 80s except instead of Irish on the not welcome list they said Travellers. I didn't understand what that meant at the time and thought it was tourists they didn't like.
2016 saw the Brexit referendum and Trump's first 'win'. Both of these elections have unsettled and wrecked the lives of many thousands, probably millions of people.
Sadly, I don't believe these two events to be coincidences.
Very worryingly, Project 2025 now appears to be in full swing in USA. It is happening because (inexplicable though this is to most 'decent' people), and more dangerous than ever before, Trump is back in the White House.
Deliberately designed to perform all of the dreadful acts of cruelty that we hear of, read about and see happening - but apparently are helpless to prevent, Project 2025 is eugenics in action.
Brexit happened, at least partly because of Britain's supposed 'special relationship' with USA. But in reality, this nonsensical idea of exceptionalism and superiority is what allows bigots, misogynists and racists to normalise hatred for anyone who they determine might be different.
I'm so sorry for this and for everyone who remembers why this appalling brutality was supposed to never happen again.
Thanks for sharing your story Bear! It’ll be a decade for me too in December since I moved here from Pakistan! I feel what you’re describing and am worried that if Reform comes in, I’ll become a second-tier citizen… Unfortunately, it’s not just the UK where this might happen… Recently, Belgium passed a law allowing it to strip naturalised citizens of their nationality if they commit serious crimes… Having a passport isn’t the security it used to be.
Bear.
The political direction of travel has been clear for some time. Essentially politics today seeks out groups to other, stigmatise and oppress.
Immigrants, refugees, the disabled, trans are all lined up for a big dose of spite in action.
All to appease the right wing media and that part of the population that desperately needs to look down on and attack people of whom they don’t approve.
This whole thing has a long way to run. Sadly.
We gained French citizenship 8 years ago, having applied the day BEFORE the referendum (we predicted that one right ☹️)
It cost us a half-kilo of paperwork each, and 80€. We were exempt from a language test, but had a one-hour "entretien" or interview (in French) each.
We are now somewhat apprehensive about what will happen if Marine le Pen gets to be President...
£12,000 is just having a giggle at you, isn't it?
Presumably designed to put you off at the start.
designed to exclude those with limited assets and high salaries, of course.
Although, of course, we could demand that people have good British names, instead of these fancy Flemish ones.
And then we could send Ffarij packing.
Which would be rough justice.
(Only joking, of course - but it really annoys people on Twatter!)
I have to agree entirely with these sentiments. I would absolutely hate it for people such as yourself were treated unfairly on account of an accident of birth.
Are there any stats on how many EU workers were here between the widening of the EU to encompass those from outside the "original" group post 1991 and when Brexit and the pandemic led many to leave? I mean is the newer post-Brexit migration on TOP of it or is some of it INSTEAD of people who lived and worked here but left? I am wondering if that was even countable because of free movement?
It's funny, I was listening to a book about European history and there was an idea, post WW2, that bringing Europe together would prevent future world wars. That was now over 80s years ago.
The climate has changed so much, but the rhetoric is reminiscent of a time before that war when nationalism and "who belongs" led to antisemitism in Europe and for the US to start changing their migrant policies - 1900-1945 - both of which in retrospect contributed massively to the holocaust by limiting the choices for Jewish people to escape the hostile climate in Europe and move elsewhere in the global north.
This is where the direction of travel of nations is going again, the US's hostility to migrants, European far-right rhetoric... and neither seems to care that it was this kind of nationalist fervour that ended up with tens of millions dead on the killing fields of (mostly) eastern Europe.
I guess they don't care.
Despite the invasion or Ukraine and all the new "conversations" about Israel being raised in the aftermath of 7th October
Lawmakers, politicians, media figures, completely oblivious to how the decisions they're making now are likely to lead to untold future suffering and another generation one day likely wringing their hands and going "never again".
I was reading an article about a forthcoming lecture by Lucy Worsley, the historian, author and presenter, which started with a quotation from her which said "History isn't really about the past at all. It is a way of investigating and reflecting on who we are today "
That quotation keeps coming back to me in the context of my own family history that continues growing today. We know from research that our ancestors are a mixture of Viking, Norman, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and other European tribes all interbred and unrecognisable - except possibly some of our long Norman type noses. Many of our neighbours and friends are of mixed English, Asian and African blood and all of us regard ourselves as British, but without needing to deny our ancestry and their languages.
We now find a group of our citizens who seem to assume British means one race and skin tone, but nothing could be further from the truth. The first inhabitants of this island were Nubians so that I fail to see why skin or clothing should even be a factor to consider.
It boils down to politically idle people who wish to artificially scare people into opposing anyone looking different or wishing to come here for refuge or economic survival. We need them here to help run our country and we should be processing applications on the other side of the channel rather than trying to sink boats or set hostels on fire. Religion should not come into it as we will never be a theocracy.
What these white, privileged, apes don’t understand, is that if the UK starts sending people “back where they came from”, then other governments are going to do the same. Are they ready for the sudden arrival of almost 11,000,000 refugees from Australia? Thats just from one colonised country, and the UK is the king of colonialism.
But why? We know we need people from other countries so why would Labour do this, I know you say to out reform reform but I just can’t or maybe don’t want to believe it. People believe there is some sort of invasion because “we are a soft touch” so is this just part of a strategy to reduce the number of people who actually want to be here? We would all wish to see an end to people risking life and limb to get here so is this to help that and in reality more people can come in quietly in numbers that are seen to be necessary and the whole thing will become less of a political hot potato? I just don’t see Labour as being deliberately cruel because they believe the lies of FauxRage and his ilk. Personally I am entitled to an Irish passport, wonder where that would land me?