British citizens have known it for a long time, politicians of all major parties deny it but now Natacha Bouchard the Mayor of Calais has said it.
Britain's immigration laws,-and couple that to its benefits regime,- makes the country an Eldorado to prospective immigrants. Add in the fact that thanks to a plethora of very human rights based laws and judgments and an oversupply of lawyers who deal in such matters, few who reach the country's shores are ever actually deported. Rights to a family life, belonging to a group that is under pressure at home,being guilty of murder in a country which still has capital punishment all guarantee being able to stay once you've arrived and uttered the magic words "asylum" at the border, usually a well marked line in arrivals halls. No wonder Ms Bouchard, faced with the long term problem of accomodating and feeding the growing queues of people awaiting their chance to climb aboard or even underneath a UK destined lorry is saying enough is enough and the British must do something about it. In the meantime there is talk of the French setting up a centre in Calais to advise the hopefuls on how to maximise their chances of a successful plea for asylum. It's unlikely that, having got this far, they need it but it's the thought that counts.
Britain's greatest success in reducing immigration has come through classifying students as immigrants. Very few actually have any intention of staying much beyond their education and any subsequent allied training. They support themselves and don't ask for state benefits. They and their visiting parents make a major contribution to the national economy while studying and their early links can be of lifelong benefit to the country in subsequent years. Their immediate fees also do a lot to finance and maintain Britain's highly successful private education industry. Just the sort of people to keep on a tight rein then while Calais remains and open tunnel (or ferry) mouth.
One might hope for Dave, Nick and Ed to also say it how it is. Dream on. That needs political boldness and honesty. Don't you know there's an election coming? Unfortunately for them,- and ultimately the electorate,- that nice Mr Farage down the pub might take a different line.
Britain's greatest success in reducing immigration has come through classifying students as immigrants. Very few actually have any intention of staying much beyond their education and any subsequent allied training. They support themselves and don't ask for state benefits. They and their visiting parents make a major contribution to the national economy while studying and their early links can be of lifelong benefit to the country in subsequent years. Their immediate fees also do a lot to finance and maintain Britain's highly successful private education industry. Just the sort of people to keep on a tight rein then while Calais remains and open tunnel (or ferry) mouth.
One might hope for Dave, Nick and Ed to also say it how it is. Dream on. That needs political boldness and honesty. Don't you know there's an election coming? Unfortunately for them,- and ultimately the electorate,- that nice Mr Farage down the pub might take a different line.
