The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #159538   Message #3780220
Posted By: Steve Shaw
21-Mar-16 - 06:27 PM
Thread Name: BS: what concessions has Cameron got
Subject: RE: BS: what concessions has Cameron got
Well I like freedom of movement. Immigrants make a positive contribution to this country. Overwhelmingly, they work, pay tax and are not a welfare burden. They do not steal British jobs or force wages down. They are not increasing the threat of terrorism. They do not increase the crime rate. All these accusations are made and not a single one can be supported by statistics. We hear all the time that being in the EU leads to "uncontrolled immigration" yet immigration is falling. Finally, year on year, immigration to the UK from outside the EU routinely exceeds immigration to the UK from other EU countries. Rather odd, considering that leaving the EU is supposed to be a means of "controlling our borders." My bet is that it won't make any difference, and when the thing goes full circle in a few years' time we'll be clamouring again for all those Polish plumbers, Romanian electricians and Czech dentists that we welcomed with such open arms ten years ago (many of them have gone home!) And don't get me started about how we simply wouldn't have an NHS and a care industry without the kind of immigration we have at present. Anyway, I have my euros and I'll be welcomed again with open arms when I go on my trips to Spain and Italy this year. They love us much more than we love them. Ludwig knows why.