It's very important that we look at the influence and vested interest of major media companies in this.
I don't think it's all due to a lack of intelligence - as much of the anti-immigration rhetoric is driven by the people who own the newspapers (especially now more people access this digitally than through print).
Murdoch and his Fox News, in particular, is the number one reason why Trump won both times in the US (if he indeed won the second time around, which is debatable...)
I am now in my 70s… I came to this country in 1969 as a child, went to school here, served in the RAF, married and had children, worked and paid all my dues all my working life and was looking forward to a nice retirement with my English husband, my children and grandchildren. Then came that fuck-up Brexshit… My mother was Welsh, both my elder brothers were born in England, I and my younger brother in Holland. All of a sudden, I had to apply for leave to remain in the country that had been my home since I was a schoolgirl. The process I had to go through to get this “indefinite leave to remain” was nothing short of being treated like a criminal! The British stopped the biometric ID card for themselves? Well goody for them… I’ve had to carry one of these fucking things since May 2019 and goodness only knows what other of my details they’ve had access to.
Then I read (from the Bear, ironically) that my security in this country would be in question too if Reform and that sack of shit Farage get their way and, I will be honest with you, I’m scared and angry beyond words. He instigated Brexshit and I hope the mess this country is in now because of it will be enough to never allow this man anywhere near power but you cannot account for stupidity. I just hope the British voters have a little more intelligence…
I hope so too, but it seems the lowest common denominator wins the day. As I said in another post the bile, unkindness and ignorance “ ordinary “ people exhibit in comments on social media and online newspapers is horrific and almost more depressing. As being educated and trying to have a civil conversation is laughed at.
Early days of Brexit saw a lot of horror stories. I hope you win through xxx
Your analysis is chilling and accurate, I believe. The problem is getting it out - to enough people, the right people and in a such way that doesn't result in the information being decried as hysterical. I found you by accident or rather thanks to substack's algorithms. How do we confound those of the right wing press, who have all the toys?
This is a very frightening but excellent post by Brown Reporter (I will be subscribing after writing this comment) who has debunked and eviscerated the Reform Ltd policy tep by step. The point abut UK citizens being more vulnerable than their US counterparts was particularly concerning.
Like Brown Reporter, I am also (technically I have always thought) a migrant. My parents met in Cyprus in 1950 (Dad was an RAF officer on one of his many tours there, Mum was a physiotherapist who lived on the island). They married in 1955 and I was born there in 1959 and my first step on UK soil was when I was sent to Prep school in Sussex at the age of 7. People always react to this by saying something like 'Oh you're fine, your dad was in the RAF'. This would have been true had I been born on the RAF base (then it was Nicosia, now it's Akrotiri) but I wasn't, I was born in Limassol hospital.
I was grateful for this fact when Farage and his foul cabal wrecked our economy by conning people into voting to leave the EU as it offered me an EU passport but like you and the Bear, I too fall into the category of people Reform might deport. Make no mistake, if Farage gets his grifting little hands on the levers of power and takes us out of the ECHR, this is what he will do. Incidentally, this along with being able to destroy any and all workers' rights is the reason he wants out of the Convention.
Funny you should point this out because I was thinking much the same thing!
I am nearly 63. I grew up on MQ estates due to my Dad's job. Every so often new families would come to live on them, usually with kids of similar age to us!
Some were born in the UK but usually at least one of the children - there was always more than one - would have been born in Germany, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Libya, Aden, Nepal...
The school - it was and remains a state school - my Dad taught at, and at which my youngest brother still teaches, was then (until the 1990s) exclusively for the sons of ex or serving regular soldiers.
Most of the globe covered.
If you start to include those whose parents worked in UK state 'approved' jobs in the Commonwealth, such as the oil industry or financial sectors, OECD, etc, that's a lot of countries covered, too.
I’m 64.
I’ve seen and heard years of different ppl making the case for and against immigration/refugee/asylum seekers/status.
IMHO no political information has laid out in easy to understand terms:
A) what the different status means
B) why immigration happens
C) how it can be beneficial for all
D) ITS NOT JUST POC
E) ‘expats’ are (our) immigrants all over the world!
F) the lasting effect of Empire.
I am so sad that the issue is misunderstood to such a level that nasties like Reform can become such a negative influence.
Of course the issue needs proper attention, planning and understanding but the hysteria that has been whipped up is terrifying.
Such a shame, ppl are just ppl no matter their place of birth.
Well said Cara.
You have hit the nail on the head when you say that thus far, information has not been disseminated in "easy to understand terms".
It therefore doesn't reach, the generally under-educated, politically disengaged audience that needs to hear it the most.
I just despair of the lack of intelligence of reform voters and supporters.
The cruelty is the point, the racism draped in a flag. They will not understand until it affects them directly, by which time we'll all be screwed
It's very important that we look at the influence and vested interest of major media companies in this.
I don't think it's all due to a lack of intelligence - as much of the anti-immigration rhetoric is driven by the people who own the newspapers (especially now more people access this digitally than through print).
Murdoch and his Fox News, in particular, is the number one reason why Trump won both times in the US (if he indeed won the second time around, which is debatable...)
I am now in my 70s… I came to this country in 1969 as a child, went to school here, served in the RAF, married and had children, worked and paid all my dues all my working life and was looking forward to a nice retirement with my English husband, my children and grandchildren. Then came that fuck-up Brexshit… My mother was Welsh, both my elder brothers were born in England, I and my younger brother in Holland. All of a sudden, I had to apply for leave to remain in the country that had been my home since I was a schoolgirl. The process I had to go through to get this “indefinite leave to remain” was nothing short of being treated like a criminal! The British stopped the biometric ID card for themselves? Well goody for them… I’ve had to carry one of these fucking things since May 2019 and goodness only knows what other of my details they’ve had access to.
Then I read (from the Bear, ironically) that my security in this country would be in question too if Reform and that sack of shit Farage get their way and, I will be honest with you, I’m scared and angry beyond words. He instigated Brexshit and I hope the mess this country is in now because of it will be enough to never allow this man anywhere near power but you cannot account for stupidity. I just hope the British voters have a little more intelligence…
I hope so too, but it seems the lowest common denominator wins the day. As I said in another post the bile, unkindness and ignorance “ ordinary “ people exhibit in comments on social media and online newspapers is horrific and almost more depressing. As being educated and trying to have a civil conversation is laughed at.
Early days of Brexit saw a lot of horror stories. I hope you win through xxx
Thank you.
Woah - genuinely terrifying. This needs to be all over the Gorton by-election. Stopping Reform starts NOW.
Your analysis is chilling and accurate, I believe. The problem is getting it out - to enough people, the right people and in a such way that doesn't result in the information being decried as hysterical. I found you by accident or rather thanks to substack's algorithms. How do we confound those of the right wing press, who have all the toys?
These are the questions I’m struggling to find answers myself! but I’m really glad you found my substack one way or the other :)
This is a very frightening but excellent post by Brown Reporter (I will be subscribing after writing this comment) who has debunked and eviscerated the Reform Ltd policy tep by step. The point abut UK citizens being more vulnerable than their US counterparts was particularly concerning.
Like Brown Reporter, I am also (technically I have always thought) a migrant. My parents met in Cyprus in 1950 (Dad was an RAF officer on one of his many tours there, Mum was a physiotherapist who lived on the island). They married in 1955 and I was born there in 1959 and my first step on UK soil was when I was sent to Prep school in Sussex at the age of 7. People always react to this by saying something like 'Oh you're fine, your dad was in the RAF'. This would have been true had I been born on the RAF base (then it was Nicosia, now it's Akrotiri) but I wasn't, I was born in Limassol hospital.
I was grateful for this fact when Farage and his foul cabal wrecked our economy by conning people into voting to leave the EU as it offered me an EU passport but like you and the Bear, I too fall into the category of people Reform might deport. Make no mistake, if Farage gets his grifting little hands on the levers of power and takes us out of the ECHR, this is what he will do. Incidentally, this along with being able to destroy any and all workers' rights is the reason he wants out of the Convention.
Funny you should point this out because I was thinking much the same thing!
I am nearly 63. I grew up on MQ estates due to my Dad's job. Every so often new families would come to live on them, usually with kids of similar age to us!
Some were born in the UK but usually at least one of the children - there was always more than one - would have been born in Germany, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Libya, Aden, Nepal...
The school - it was and remains a state school - my Dad taught at, and at which my youngest brother still teaches, was then (until the 1990s) exclusively for the sons of ex or serving regular soldiers.
Most of the globe covered.
If you start to include those whose parents worked in UK state 'approved' jobs in the Commonwealth, such as the oil industry or financial sectors, OECD, etc, that's a lot of countries covered, too.
Has the good professor thought this one through?!
It's scary that people can use sharp objects let alone have power
Thank you for this excellent in-depth piece on Reforms plans for the UK. Will share widely.
Painfully well put
Thanks for this...uuurrgh..and thanks for the tip!