Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

IMMIGRATION

Hands up all those who think the complex issue of mass economic migration from the developing world to the developed world is going to evaporate over the next few years? Not a single hand moves – and for good reason. Responding to the issues thrown up by this unprecedented flow of humanity is one of the challenges of our age – and will remain so for as far as the eye can see.

Immigration is an issue that provokes deep emotions and must be handled responsibly by all politicians. But it must be handled. It is an issue that can provoke all kinds of emotions: hatred, fear, racism to name but a few. But it must be tackled nonetheless; not least because if mainstream politics does not put in place robust policies to meet public concern, then this subject will be monopolised by the fringe parties who will use it to whip up support for their policies of intolerance.

In Holland, the chattering classes have just woken up to the fact that as a result of their liberal immigration policies over thirty years their Muslim population will be in the majority by 2017. Suddenly they are trying to slam on the brakes, put up the barriers and insist on cultural integration.
In Britain, our challenges are of a different order but we need some guiding principles to help us.

First, this must not be about racism, but rather about developing a coherent society. I do not care what colour a person’s skin is or where they come from and nor should anybody, but I do want Britain to function as a cohesive whole.

Second, we are entitled to ask that anybody wishing to live in this already crowded island should seek to integrate as far as possible into our culture – including our language. Of course we should celebrate diversity and learn from it, but it must not undermine a sense of national community.
Third, even allowing people to come here to take up short-term vacancies in our domestic economy – vacancies that may not exist in a few years time – should not just be about money. The social consequences must also be taken into account.

Generations of immigrants have made a rich contribution to this country. All of us must work towards integration and friendship with all communities. But we also need to ensure that further immigration happens at a pace that can be readily accommodated.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, April 13, 2004