General Chat

Hi Marie:) I understand what you say but I just look at it a bit differently - there are sooo many things I resent my taxes going to but giving asylum seekers a better life isn't somthing I object to. I think there but for the grace of God go I and if I was living a crap life and thought I & my loved ones could have a better one going to another country, I know I would.

lets not get carried away....my point was that there are currently 300,000 illegal asylum seakers in the uk, they have been processed, and found to be here under false pretences. the immigration service, have now to find them, and return them home, according to government figures, this will take between 10/18 years...this is not acceptable, so i'me asking, should we close the door until we have caught up with the backlog. bryan.

Hi David That would be so so noble if there wasn't people in desperate need here being denied funding to make way for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may be mean, but I resent every penny. Sorry.

Bryan Then in a word. YES ,it's time to close the doors.

Sorry Marie - I missed yr ps. Immigrants come from any country or continent (including Europe & Australasia) to live here permanently. An asylum seeker is claiming protection and from our country and residency on that basis. Bryan was asking about asylum seekers not immigrants.

Hi David That 's my point though, asylum seekers eventually become immigrants in the long run anyway, so it's irrelevant at this stage what we refer to them as!

Hi Marie I'm not denying that there are a lot of people who claim asylum falsely but I can only think that you are unaware of some of the atrocities that have been committed in other countries and the suffering that some people have gone through because of their race, creed or beliefs in the name of the governments - nothing to do with being noble but I do believe that what goes around comes around and if I haven't got the compassion to give someone a chance I reckon when I need help I might not get it:)

Hi David In which case I really respect your humility. I am fully aware of the terrible happenings worldwide. I am an avid news watcher and I like to think that I am well informed. Having said that. I feel more sympathy for pensioners who write in to my local paper week in, week out , desperate because they can't keep warm this winter and haven't got the funds from their meagre pensions to pay their council tax and feel that going to prison like a criminal is their only answer. People who have paid their taxes all their lives being denied essential cancer treatment due to cost , when anyone can come here and give birth/have an op whatever they wish on the health service that we pay for. Once these things, and many many others have been resolved, that's when I will feel more compassion for those outside of the UK.

This is a very good thread.Wished i lived in Australia.They look after no-one. Annie

When I go to America on holiday, (having saved up first I might add), I have to fill in forms giving the address where I am going to stay, when I am due to leave, etc,etc,etc. Before I leave the UK I know I face deportation after I arrive if I have omitted to mention ANY criminal record on my travel documents. I find this a bore but it is a price to pay for visiting that country. If I felt strongly enough against it I would not go there. Match this with an incident that happened in the UK not so long ago. An aeroplane landing in the UK from Jamaica, approx 260 people on board were delayed at the arrival Airport by customs personnel to carry out a check on their onward addresses. There was such an uproar on this maltreatment of our commonwealth citizens that the check was cancelled and everyone was allowed to proceed without further delay. When it came time for their return flight approximately 150 did not turn up for the flight home!!!! Were they being persecuted in JAMAICA I don't think so. Everyone will point to me now and call me a racist but I would feel the same way about ANY person arriving in this country from anywhere in the world looking for a free ride at the BRITISH taxpayers expense. Sorry about the Rant.JJH

John I won't point. I totally agree

ANYONE, who has a genuine need to escape persecution is perfectly welcome here as far asI am concerned, don't get me wrong. BUT if they can make it through Germany, Holland, and France to the Tunnel why do they keep going? JJH

The trouble is the real asylum seekers are being buried beneath the freeloaders and scammers and I agree it's a real shame.

I believe the real problem lies with our politicians who do not have the fortitude to say PUBLICLY what they believe PRIVATELY. They are too busy lining their pockets with appearance fees and feathering their nests with MORTGAGE deals against future arnings. Here endeth my RAVING. '''' Beware THE IDES OF MARCH'''''

john, they are not racist remarks, they are observations. i also wonder, why someone seeking sanctuary, travels through europe, but doesn't stop, until they get to the uk. bryan.

Bryan, think of the benefits. Wouldn't you do the same? JJH

agree with you john, but answer the question... is it time to close the door? bryan.

It IS difficult, but I would say, CLOSE, BUT beprepared to open quickly for Genuine cases. We have a fine reputation for being fair-minded in this country (Britain that is) so let's not do anything to make the rest of the world hate us, but admire us, as in the past. JJH

thank you john, but that brought a smile to my face....can i just say ' middle east '... but that's another thread maybe. i'me off to bed, work in morning, but i would like to thank EVERYONE for adding to this thread, it's been a pleasure reading your views. bryan.

Goodnight all.JJH