Are you ready to welcome the apparent flood of bulgarians and romanians....

If it is of any interest to the posters here it may be worth bearing in mind that the proposals are not only for restricting access to benefits for Romanians and Bulgarians it is for restricting access to benefits for 'migrants'. That includes all migrants from the European Economic Area. That will include Brit's who currently live overseas or have spent time overseas. They too will need to prove habitual residency so returning UK nationals may not have access to benefits for 3 months and if qualifying will after 6 months need to prove they have genuine and good prospects of securing work in order to be granted an extension. As much as some media would want us to be up in arms and arguing, as it appears we are, concentrating on Romanian & Bulgarian migrants - the whole essence of the legislation quietly slips by onto the statute books.
I know of dozens of individuals and couples who have emigrated to other countries, predominantly Spain and Cyprus, and I can confirm that earlier comments by granjura are spot on, they have created their little bit of Britain in the sun intentionally or not and in many cases do not endear themselves to the locals. The english speaking press in these countries is full of comment from what is generally referred to wingeing Brit's. I hope I am not included in that. Perhaps clear, level headed informed opinion is something we should welcome, not what the Daily Mail might want but we need to be aware of the facts not what the media wants to peddle. If I am wrong I will stand corrected but collectively, stones and glasshouses springs to mind.
I hope I have managed to put that accross in the nicest possible way, that was my intention, but I am aware that sometimes the written word can be misinterpreted.

I agree ANA 18.22 .
I am concerned that my children and Gc will have to suffer in years to come .
Probably too simplistic but that is how I feel !

Grannyactivist yes, do as you would be done by. A motto that was drummed into us as children on a regular basis. If the roles were reversed, how would we want to be treated?

I see where you are coming from granny-a, but I think we cannot get away from the fact that economics have to play a part in this world. I want a good education, decent housing and good healthcare available to all, without the funds running out. We do not have the loaves and little fishes available to us.

GA your post is the wisest comment here. I hope that it will not fall on stony ground.

And I have no doubt at all that jingl's post containing a naughty word will be deleted forthwith, following an avalanche of reportings...

A great deal of what BaNanas said made sense. What's with this new GN rule that even the mildest of personal comments renders a whole post deletable?

I have a very simplistic view that will probably find little favour with anyone.

Care for your neighbours (of whatever country, ethnicity, religion etc.....)
Share what you have as much as you can.
Treat others the way you'd like to be treated yourself.
Hope for the best.
Do what you can.

Many of us were 'foreigners' once and no-one has a 'right' to have a better standard of living than anyone else. We're just very fortunate to live in a country where we have had, and have often taken for granted, lifestyle opportunities denied to most people in the world.
If I had to live on a few vegetables, a bowl of rice and a cup of water each day maybe I'd complain a little.
If I lived in a country that was poverty stricken maybe I'd want to make a better life for my children.
If I've lived my whole life in the affluent west maybe I shouldn't complain too hard because others want the same.

Yes ninny, but do they think at all before they press the delete button?

Whether I am a Christian or not will be judged by someone else, not me. It is irrelevant to this thread.

We have to think about h o w many we are going to be able to accommodate in the future. That is common sense. It is not racist.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

I may be wrong, jingle, but I had formed the impression that you identified yourself as a Christian. Correct me if that is mistaken.

If not mistaken, you should read the blog carefully, and realise that those who wrote it are indeed aware of the demonising of migrants to this country. A view promulgated by the Daily Wail to those who know no better.

Tolerance, compassion, understanding and care are duties owed by all of us to those less fortunate than ourselves.

That may not be 'sensible' but it is a moral position that I would rather aspire to than protecting our own self interest to the exclusion of others.

Iam64 posted above with insightful points about the proper debate to be had on this matter. It merits rereading.

Yes of course Granjura. But that Wasn't at a time when the UK was metaphorically bursting at the seams

My God! Why do they treat us like fucking nursery school kids?

A large proportion of our forebears, from all over Europe- were econommic migrants. Dozens in my family from Switzerland to the US or OZ. Very successful they became too.

HAVE THEY DELETED ALL OF BANANA' S EXCELLENT POST?

WE REALLY NEED TO KNOW WHY.

Yes, there will be a referendum early Feb- launched by the UDC/SVP- the equivalent here ot the National Front. Switzerland is very attractive to foreigners, due to high salaries and exchange rates, good economy- and seen as the 'last bastion'. Switzerland is actually not in the EU, but is in Shengen and has signed free movement treaties. A completely different situation altogether. But with 23.5% of foreigners and possibly a lot more- tensions are building- especially in areas like mine with over 10% unemployment.

All I am saying is that immigrants are also attracted to other countries- and that even 'expats' can cause waves and truly upset the locals.

"If all workers joined a trade union..." They would probably soon become out of a job if they did.

I think that blog is ridiculous. All that preaching would be fine if we were talking about Syrians needing a safe haven, but this is about economic migrants.

Oh Micelf. Be a bit sensible. No one is "demonising" fellow human beings.

Or "trumpeting".

Granjura

Your post confirms my point that this is not a problem for the UK only.

Am I correct to think Switzerland is holding a referendum soon?? I cannot recall the correct subject I have in mind do you know, or am I wrong. I admit to being too idle to look it up or check what I have posted.

Oh dear Bananas, you really haven't thought this through, have you? You trumpet about getting rid of zero hours contracts etc. Up thread I provided the answer. If all workers joined a trade union, then rogue employers would not be able to exploit their workforce.

Too many ridiculous points to address here, but if you had carefully read the blog I posted a link to you would have realised that it is a call for compassion, for understanding and for an end to the demonising of fellow human beings. The writers of that blog are actually from a right of centre perspective but always worth reading for their interesting viewpoints.

I shan't bother to respond to personal name calling. It really is very juvenile.

Of course, so many expats move abroad to escape immigrants, as they often state (not all, yes I know- but it is ironical- and even more so as they totally fail to see the similarities). And then do exactly the same as they complain about, live a parrallel life, do not learn the language, eat their own foods from special shops, etc, etc.

Personal comments starting once again, Happy New Year!

This is getting quite unpleasant on GN sadly. Yes, most waves of immigration into UK did came in BIG groups, and did upset the apple-cart hugely in places. So I can understand how some areas and some people do feel threatened and under pressure. But please- those who are trying to keep a sensible balance are not fairies in cuckooland. Talking of which- here in cuckooland- the locals are up in arms about all the jobs going to Frontaliers (French who work here in Switzerland but commute every day back to France)- accepting lower wages and not spending any money here, or pay taxes where they work- and with 10% local unemployment. And also about all the British expats who also take jobs, do all their shopping on-line from UK or regular trips to French super-markets- and drop their kids into local schools without a word of French or any preparation (despite coming over for very good jobs and many months of advance warning- but not taking trouble to get kiddos lessons to give them a bit of help prior to coming...). Funny though how British immigrants call themselves 'expats' and other immigrants are called ... all sorts of other and often unpleasant names.

I lived in Leicestershire when the Ugandan Asians arrived in the early 70s, kicked out of Uganda by Idi Amin. The backlash was huge, and I remember the reaction of people in the suburbs where I lived, when some of the kids where bussed to said suburbs to 'dilute' the effect on inner City Schools. Many people took the kids out of those schools and sent them to private schools. Within a decade the Ugandan Asians had moved out of the innter city to those suburbs, and sent their own kids to the very same private schools- and their kids were hugely successful in the local State school system too- with very high ambitions and achieving them in a large % of cases. It is very hard not to see that some of the local kids have too often no ambitions whatsoever, and are very low achievers in school. It is complex, and I am being the devil's advocate. Other European countries are also bracing themselves, and are seen as much more attractive to many than the UK.