Immigrants

[coyn]

Tony Blair tells us that to get out of our pension deficit problem we need to allow 3000/4000 immigrants a week to come to this country.

Since the vast majority of them have no particular skills that this country needs and given that at day one they are entitled to free housing, free healthcare, and free schooling for their children for which they have contributed nothing, how is this supposed to ease our problem exactly?

This is not a racial rant, I really dont understand what this government is thinking. Do you?

[stevie_c2it]

Gary Baldy thanks for posting a link to the �National Statistics� office most interesting. I take it of course that you haven�t �bothered� to read it, before trying to claim that �you�re not just making these things up� Since it directly contradicts what you claim is �fact�.

�The UK has a growing population. It grew by 281,200 people in the year to mid-2004, and the average growth per year has been 0.4 per cent since mid-2001. The UK population increased by 7.0 per cent since 1971, from 55.9 million. Growth has been faster in more recent years. �

Thanks anyhow, at least I know now how reliable your �facts� are!

[gary baldy]

Stevie - sorry if i gave over some attitude - i was simply going for my tea- there wasnt anything more sinister than that. There is too much info on the Govt website ive posted to link directly to but just a quick search reveals some of the issues i have touched on. The fertility and death rates are both dropping - something that if continues will see an decreasing population in the next 30 years. If you look at fertility rates within certain demographic groups it is those from an ethnic minority that tend to have the most children (at the moment) - this is linked to cultural and socio-economic factors. The 'flow'of immigration and emmigration is slightly weighted towards immigration but nothing our economy (at present) cannot handle. There is a slightly worrying trend for well educated people to emigrate - or should i say those that emigrate tend to be skilled and well educated - but this only backs up the argument for allowing more skilled and educated immigrants into the country. I didnt want to sound rude when i said i couldnt be bothered its just i have to go to my unskilled, badly paid job soon(no i'm not an immigrant!) and the facts are out there to see. Please read them and i too am more than happy to enter into a well informed debate.

[stevie_c2it]

Sorry, I think I've been guilty now of copping an attitude.

[coyn]

So immigration into this country will be at the rate of the population of Manchester every three years not as I said every seven years.

Thank you for correcting me

[gary baldy]

Hey Stevie - i think we have both fallen into the trap where we can both find facts to back up our own arguments. I appreciate there seems to be contradicting evidence and it was easy for me to look at 'underlying trends'. This is something politicians use and talk about 'in real terms'. I argue that although the population seems to be increasing the 'underlying trend' is that it is shrinking (or not growing at rate at a sustainable rate). Like i said i'm just using some fact or other to justify my argument- cant we talk about the X factor instead! Hey coyn - no problem - as you may have gathered i'm a bit of nerd when it comes to population stats- esp those of the greatest city in the world (just had a big debate with a mate about the population of Manchester so i know it off by heart - how sad is that?) Right gotta go to work. Play nicely!

[stevie_c2it]

X-Factor? Yeah can do, once cheeko (The time was yesterday!) is gone - it'll be a shame for the three runners up. There all great! Opps way off topic better go too!

[coyn]

lets say a big hello to our newest immigrants gary and Stevie, hello garry and Stevie

[undercovers]

coyn - i'm trying to find the speach or news article to which you refer - when did Blair say we need 3000/4000 immigrants to come to the UK every week for all eternity... obviously that situation would quickly mean everyone one in the world lived here. can you give me a link to the story cheers Undercovers

[DirtyHabit]

Coyn,
I also share your concerns about immigration, but does that make me racist or nationalist? I don't know how anyone can come to that conclusion based on your question.
On pensions, both my Father and Uncle were POW's and while away from home my Mother and Aunt did the jobs left vacant. Sadly niether my Father or Uncle lived beyond 65 and so collected no pension.
Immigrants were encouraged to come here "To help rebuild the Country" so history tells us. Or were they imported to replace the 1000,s of working class men lost and to provide industry with cheap labour? Who know's. Germany and Japan also lost 1000,s of men, but did they need to have immigration on the scale this country has?
Madonna living in the UK. I could live almost anywhere in the world so long as I can prove that I will not be dependant on the country. So if she spend her money here, it's OK by me.
Having said all that, does that make me a racist or nationalist? Well times change I guess. 60 years ago, I like my Father could have proudly stood there and defended my Country and died to protect it, but now there are people who do not think I should display my Country's flag, I should not celebrate Christmas.
I am too old now to be bothered by any name or title that others care to label me with.