General Chat

As some of you will have read on my 'in London' thread, we watched a rally in Trafalgar Square and I mentioned that I was happy to live in a country where the people could march in it's capital city and challenge the government of the day.

The rally was for (briefly) "Strangers into Citizens"
"Strangers into Citizens is a national campaign calling for a one-off regularisation of long-term irregular migrants in the UK. There are an estimated 500,000 irregular migrants in the UK. They face exploitation and uncertainty. They want to work, integrate and be able to contribute to life in the UK as full members of our society."

this from their website : http://www.strangersintocitizens.org.uk/the-campaign.htm

"Those who have been here for 4 or more years should be admitted to a 2-year pathway to full legal rights (“leave to remain”) during which they work legally and demonstrate their contribution to UK economy and society. After that 2-year period, subject to knowledge of English and employer and community references, they would be granted permanent leave to remain.



The benefits of regularisation
recognises the dignity of human beings who have made new lives in Britain;
extends and reinforces the rule of law;
levels the playing-field for low-paid workers;
enables businesses to employ legally the labour it needs;
recognises the role that migrants already play in society;
ensures that tens of thousands of British workers receive the protection of the law;
shrinks the black economy;
frees up billions of pounds in taxes for the Exchequer;
enables local authorities to plan better;
solves the expensive, inhuman delay in processing old asylum claims;
builds a more cohesive British society;
and turns outlaws into neighbours - "strangers into citizens" –in the best British tradition of pragmatism and justice.

What people say:
"Where people have been here a long time and have no prospect of being able to be sent back then an amnesty could be considered so that they can pay taxes and legally contribute to the British economy"

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, London Mayoral Assembly, 2008

Many countries, classes and races seem to have been involved, also the churches, political organisations etc etc...

thought?... and please be aware if the debate strays from 'reasoned argument' to a rant...then I will on this ocassion delete :))

Rose xx

whats your views on this Rose

*sits on hands n zips mouth*

Sylvia whats your lol

Your learning Mel, lol.

*unzips* I wouldnt mind hearin Sylvias views *rezips*

lol Keith I knew someone would ask :)) Well the way I see it is that all of us are 'mixed race' in some way, eg i know I have Irish,English, a bit of Spanish or French possibly...my brother had a different dad so he has Polish/ American blood also. Where would we be 'sent back to'?

I truly believe that racial bigotry is based on fear and ignorance.Also that if people wish to settle here and contribute to the economy, to learn the language and 'integrate' then ( just as I would hope another country would welcome me on those terms ) that they would be welcome here.

The campaign does not ask for 'border control' to be relaxed or immigration quotas to be increased...just to let those who are already here have full rights in return for their contribution to the society they have chosen to live in...

sorry, long answer! lol

xx

I think they will clambering to get a degree and become MPs..!!!

*unzips* ~ Rose is right they'd av an hell of a lot of us to "send back" but where to I for one aint goin think summat as to be done and very soon x *rezips*

Just interested Sylvia no biggie x

a lot of members know where my grandad and dad where born
so they will already know my views

lol Sylvia, Keith is teasing me with that reply :)) because he knows I always have a viewpoint ( if he was less generous he might call me opinionated ;) lol)...so he was 'fishing' lol

xx

I'd forgotten that Keith :) but you did mention it once on a thread re Liverpool..which of course is probably where my Irish gt grandad landed (would love to know if he did actually, before settling in London :))

Can people not just answer the question?

Rose, it seems quite sensible to me - if people contribute to the country, work, pay taxes etc, I don't see why they shouldn't benefit from that by becoming citizens. It seems as if it's a well thought out scheme. Can't see any problem with it.

Mel, my son was interested in the rally (he was born in Wales so technically Welsh) ...good for him to go to a city where there are so many races and cultural influences , coming from a small village where my mate at college could proclaim he was "the only black in the village" lol

Hello Rose,

I am in two minds here.

I have no objection to immigrants who have been in the UK for X years and do work being allowed to apply for a permanent visa, pay taxes and contribute to the chancellors income.....BUT

I do object to those who have snuck in via resident family routes being included. Mr A comes from country Z and works in the UK, he then returns to country Z and marries Miss B. He returns to UK and applies for a visa for his wife. This is granted (no problem so far). Then family B (up to 12 members) arrive in the UK with only visitor visas and STAY indefinitely. Family B do NOT integrate and place a further drain on local services (I am not going explain that one as it would compromise confidences).

Just my opinion of course.

Sue x

:)) Uggers, didn't need to ask your opinion, knew what it would be :)) lol...but thank you for putting it just the same !

xx

I know that feeling Rose where I grew up it was hard for my brother he is black and in the 70's there were very few black people in my area particularly a black boy with white siblings and 2 white parents x

Rose as I am as thick as pig **** I will try and add my views as best I can.

I totally agree that racial bigotry is based on fear and ignorance, at times passed down from parents after all if you hear that grass is green with purple spots often enough you are going to believe it. The main culprit is the media as far as I am concerned.

My main concern is room is there enough room for everyone? With many areas sort of housing and employment being as it is at the moment.

LOL Sue, I will have to read that again...it's a bit like one of those puzzles you see...Mrs B lives in a house with a green door that is not number 7, etc...

But yes I do know what you mean :)