Is The Fear Of Mass Immigration The Prime Reason We Should Come Out Of The Eu?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3583394/The-majority-British-voters-believe-way-controlling-immigration-LEAVE-EU.html

Seems they are not very happy about immigration in Germany either.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3584374/Two-thirds-German-voters-want-DITCH-Angela-Merkel-wake-open-door-immigration-policy-new-poll-reveals.html

[andy-hughes]

Whether or not it is a fact that mass immigration is a direct result of EU membership is a moot point - but it is my view that it is a fact in the eyes of the electorate, and it will be a large driver behind the exit result which I believe will occur.

[retrocop]

Mr aog
Looks like we should be on lock down immediately.We don't even know how many migrants we have in our country now but it seems it may have been under calculated. Quite a disparity in actual numbers of N.I. cards issued. We have a few of the poorest counties in Europe lining up to join the EU. They will want to head our way if and when they join.
I await tomorrows new estimates by the ONS and would be surprised if it didn't contain some unsettling figures.

The issue of immigration is set to explode again on Thursday when the Office for National Statistics release figures showing if the number of EU migrants has been dramatically under-counted.
The publication of the active National Insurance numbers could reveal up to 1.3m extra EU citizens are living here.
Figures from the ONS - which are supposed to count people into the country - show some 919,000 EU migrants have arrived in Britain since June 2010.
But, in the same period of time, officials have issued 2.2 million NI numbers to EU migrants.
MPs say the gap suggests huge numbers of incomers may have been missed by the ONS – leaving officials in the dark about the true scale of the pressure being placed on hospitals and schools. Thursday’s report will attempt to explain the reason for the gap.

[EDDIE51]

Few seem to realize that if we leave the EU but stay in the EEC
(European Economic Community) which is the intention of 'leave', we still are forced to have the full 'freedom of movement' rule that applies to the EU. However will have no say in how it is operated or any other EU regulations that also apply to the EEC.
Basically put, we get all the disadvantages but non of the advantages.
'

[agchristie]

Well,most people probably still don't understand what the pros and cons of the membership debate are!

[ToraToraTora]

whether we come out or not, this issue will cause the collapse of the whole sorry house of cards. Politicians can ride rough shod over the masses for so long only.

[andy-hughes]

TTT - //whether we come out or not, this issue will cause the collapse of the whole sorry house of cards. Politicians can ride rough shod over the masses for so long only. //

I am inclined to agree.

If you will excuse me for replacing your metaphor with another - I believe there may well be a domino effect if Britain leaves, and the entire edifice could fall apart.

[EDDIE51]

Sorry should be the EEA not EEC
Read this from' True Fact' an independent charity who's sole reason for existence is to provide true unbiased facts on news items.
https://fullfact.org/europe/immigration-eu-referendum/

[naomi24]

I don’t think immigration is the ‘prime’ reason, but I think it shares top spot with our inability, as an EU member state, to govern ourselves.

[mikey4444]

As migration has increased hugely for the last 6 years, under Dave, and we are already in the EU, I can't see that is an issue.

Anyway, what about the 100,000's of Brits, that are working in Europe ?

[EDDIE51]

Mikey, Over 2 million 'Brits' are estimated to be living as expatriates in the EU ! Look at my link to 'True Fact'

[naomi24]

EDDIE51, so what?

[EDDIE51]

I was just updating Mikeys estimate of 100,000's to a truer figure.

[retrocop]

Mikey
//Anyway, what about the 100,000's of Brits, that are working in Europe ?//

Are they living in shanty huts around vineyards picking grapes for peanuts and doing the workshy locals work?
I would imagine those ex pat Brits are in business or top end industrial work and don't rely on Supplementary benefits and every other benefit the low paid get here.
100,000 Britons spread throughout Europe is small fry compared with the numbers we entertain on this relatively small living area.

[EDDIE51]

Retrocop the largest % of them are retired. So they do claim 'benefit' as it is officially classed as a benefit now. They also get the winter fuel allowance.
There are many workers but the retired are the largest group.

[mikey4444]

Eddie...thanks for the correction....I thought that perhaps my figures were on the low side.

[mikey4444]

Retro...the majority of these foreign workers that we have in Britain are in work, mainly because our own workshy/unskilled population won't or can't work.

Relatively few of them are dole bludgers, unlike the majority of our own, who get benefits without making any contribution at all.

[EDDIE51]

As those of the 2 million ( probably over 90%) who have lived out of the UK for less than 15 years have a vote in the referendum it will be a significant block vote for 'Remain'.

[trt]

##Seems they are not very happy about immigration in Germany either.##

Or Corsica it seems, scroll down for the protest....

https://shariaunveiled.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/spontaneous-combustion-destroys-muslim-prayer-hall-in-corsica-france/

[naomi24]

With all this talk of benefit scroungers and ex-pat Brits, this thread is going off course. The question is "Is The Fear Of Mass Immigration The Prime Reason We Should Come Out Of The Eu?"

[andy-hughes]

I refer back to my first answer - I believe the political thought and reaction among the electorate is a matter of perception, rather than evidence, and the two may not always align, and they may not do so here.

I am unsure if the immigration question should be the primary mover in terms of the vote decision, but it is my belief that it will be - because it is uppermost in the minds of voters who will see an exit as an instant halt to mass immigration.

That is a perception, and it may not match the evidence, or the probable future, but as I say, politics is about perception, not evidence and facts.