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> "That's what they want. Let them have it." That's not what all of us want. Speaking as someone born and raised in the UK, I recognise that the attitude you

> "That's what they want. Let them have it." That's not what all of us want. Speaking as someone born and raised in the UK, I recognise that the attitude you speak of is prominent in our culture, but it's not what all of us want. I for one recognise that immigration has (for the most part) been a net benefit for the UK economically (and culturally, IMO). On the economic side: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/05/eu-migrants-uk-gains-20bn-ucl-study http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/05/eu-migrants-u... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/11913927/Theresa-Mays-immigration-speech-is-dangerous-and-factually-wrong.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/11913927/... Immigrants are being used as a scapegoat, there's no excuse for it but at least some of us recognise it for what it is. What I find funny is if you look at the nonsense that surrounds immigration the stories aren't cohesive. You'll hear people saying that immigrants are lazy and just here to collect benefits, and you'll also hear people saying that immigrants are taking people's jobs because they're hard working and prepared to work for less. If people are going to be prejudiced, at least be consistent! I recognise there are some issues around immigration that centre on religious differences, and those are more problematic than the economic issues, but for the most part the issues around immigration are overblown. As an aside, I've come to realise that a lot of the problems in the UK stem from our frequently toxic mainstream news media. It's really sad to hear friends and family repeat back soundbites from the news media, with seemingly little to no awareness that those soundbites are there to reinforce prejudice rather than provide insight. I'm sure that the limited access to grown up news coverage and respectful debate lies at the core of our difficulties, everything else that's an issue stems from the lack of good quality information and an unengaged populace.

YeGoblynQueenne 10y ago
>> I'm sure that the limited access to grown up news coverage and respectful debate lies at the core of our difficulties, everything else that's an issue stems from the lack of good quality information and an unengaged populace. This goes to parenthepobia also. I understand not everyone in the UK is a raging xenophobe, and I'm sorry if my comment lumps everyone together with those guys. But the truth is that the UK society has indulged in this sort of attitude for a long time. Like you say, ZenoArrow, the mainstream press is constantly banging on that drum and people don't just tolerate it, they actively support it. Some challenge it, sure- but the Sun is still the paper with the highest circulation and the Mail is the second. And now there's a referendum. It's not just a few people in the pub being a bit rude after a couple of pints. The country is officially thinking of embracing its isolationist tendencies. I know there's good people in the UK- in fact, regardless of their love for populist rhetoric I think the majority of Brits are decent folk and I owe the country a big part of my own culture if you like. But it seems in this issue, somehow, the nasty ones have won and they'll have their way. And that's because nobody else stepped in to stop them. That's political apathy, as you say. So maybe a Brexit will be a bit of a wake up call, or make people think again about stuff. Probably not, but in any case I really believe what I said: if this is what the majority really-really wants, they should have it. I'm sorry the rest of you must suffer it also.

YeGoblynQueenne 10y ago

>> I'm sure that the limited access to grown up news coverage and respectful debate lies at the core of our difficulties, everything else that's an issue stems from the lack of good quality information and an unengaged populace. This goes to parenthepobia also. I understand not everyone in the UK is a raging xenophobe, and I'm sorry if my comment lumps everyone together with those guys. But the truth is that the UK society has indulged in this sort of attitude for a long time. Like you say, ZenoArrow, the mainstream press is constantly banging on that drum and people don't just tolerate it, they actively support it. Some challenge it, sure- but the Sun is still the paper with the highest circulation and the Mail is the second. And now there's a referendum. It's not just a few people in the pub being a bit rude after a couple of pints. The country is officially thinking of embracing its isolationist tendencies. I know there's good people in the UK- in fact, regardless of their love for populist rhetoric I think the majority of Brits are decent folk and I owe the country a big part of my own culture if you like. But it seems in this issue, somehow, the nasty ones have won and they'll have their way. And that's because nobody else stepped in to stop them. That's political apathy, as you say. So maybe a Brexit will be a bit of a wake up call, or make people think again about stuff. Probably not, but in any case I really believe what I said: if this is what the majority really-really wants, they should have it. I'm sorry the rest of you must suffer it also.