Should we be worried about right-wing populism?

Petra, singling out Albanians is heading into racist territory. I seem to remember some non-immigrants being involved it protectionist activities, I think there were called the Kray Brothers.

GandTea I'm fully aware of what the Kray twins did: my father went to Ronnie Krays wedding.

In which case why single out Albanians, as GandTea said?

Careful DJ, that was you agreeing with me then, time for you to lie down.

There are 1000's of Eastern Europeans in the UK, the vast majority are hard working honest people that cause no problem to anyone. Every nation has it's bad apples that will follow a criminal path. I am sure that the percentage of immigrants in that group are no greater than born and bred Brits.

Someone mentioned immigrants defecating and urinating on monuments, have they been to our high streets when the clubs turn out ?

petra: "daphnedill Albanians. They caused a lot of trouble (and that's putting it mildly) in Southend some years ago with their 'protection' gangs."

Now I know you're having a laugh!

I've lived in Essex over half my life and there have been plenty of pure white British-born 'protection' gangs over the years in Southend and other places. They've done quite a lucrative business in drug smuggling too and there have been murders in Essex (as I'm sure there are in other parts of the country) linked to drug smuggling and distribution:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-36447981

I remember the Southend skinheads of the 1970s and 1980s. They spoilt a day out I had one Summer.

www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/group-of-skinheads-on-the-attack-during-a-bank-holiday-news-photo/104375785#

If you read petra's post of 11:12:03 you will see that it was not she who singled out Albanians.

And if a group of Albanians did cause a lot of trouble in a particular place, then no-one is singling them out by mentioning that fact. That is besides the fact that Albanians are not a 'race', just as Brits aren't.

I don't care who first mentioned Albanians. The fact is that there have been 'protection' gangs, crime, prostitution and drugs in Southend in that part of Essex ever since I can remember - certainly before Albanians or East Europeans were allowed out of their countries. They've possibly been giving the home grown crims some competition in recent years.

I spent two weeks on the jury of a murder trial at Chelmsford Crown Court and I found I found out more about the Southend underworld than I really wanted to know.

I see. I just thought too much blame was flying petra's way, and wished to point that out. Fair's fair. I know nothing about Southend, well, not the English one. We have one in Argyll too.

I DO know about what goes on in Southend, and Petra is absolutely right.In any case she simply answered another poster who asked 'who don't Asian shopkeepers like'?
Thatbags points something out that is used too much... Racist, when it's not race at all, simply another country.

So what would you call hatred by one ethnic group for another?

Are you suggesting that it's acceptable, because people are of the same 'race', which is a pretty meaningless concept anyway, because we're all homo sapiens with mingled DNA?

How about tribalist?

I'm aware that there are Albanian criminal gangs operating in the UK and that Southend is a hotspot for drugs, prostitution and now people smuggling. I guess many coastal towns have the same kind of problems, because property tends to be cheaper and run down bed and breakfasts are used as dumping grounds by the DWP. However, I would also guess that Albanians commit a very small percentage of the crime in Southend (or anywhere else). For as long as I can remember, Southend has been a place known for being able to pick up prostitutes and buying drugs (well, certain parts of it and some of the neighbouring towns). I would imagine shopkeepers aren't very keen on any sort of criminal.

@rosesared

I know what goes on in Southend, Claton and Jaywick too. I also know what goes on in Basildon, Thurrock, Chelmsford, Colchester, Braintree, Harlow, etc. and most of the crime isn't carried out by Albanians or any other 'foreign' group.

I live in leafy rural Essex in a twee market town and even I was physically and verbally assaulted three weeks ago by my next door neighbour, who also racially abused a delivery driver. I guess he's English, as he flies a St Georges flag in his garden. We've also had stabbings on the street and a pub was closed down after a police raid looking for drugs. There's hardly a foreigner in the place.

Now you are just being quarrelsome, dd. Petra told a story. That is all.

Naming a group of troublemakers is just that: naming a group. If their foreign nationality is what distinguishes them in the country they're in, then mentioning their nationality is just a way of giving the group a name. It's no different from saying that a group of Scottish football fans (or English or Welsh or French or German or Australian... whatever) caused some trouble somewhere at a match.

If the troublemakers' nationality is mixed then obviously it wouldn't be a useful group identifier and wouldn't be used. Then you'd just use something like "a group of young men in Southend..."

Hatred of one ethnic group by another is zenophobia, I think. It's a negative trait but it's not the same as racism.

Oops! I knew that didn't look right. Should be xenophobia.

Actually, the hated group doesn't have to be ethnically difference, just foreign. So I suppose the historical dislike of some English people for French people (and vice versa) is xenophobia too. Ethnically and historically, I don't think there's a significant difference between most English people and most French people.

So if you come to Southend for a visit you can be sure that all your needs are catered for. It's all here folks, come on down.

Blimey dd you know what goes on in a lot of places!

Actually, there is a great deal of Eastern European crime in the UK dd you ask any one like a policeman or insurance person, as they deal with it.As Petra actually lives in Southend, she should know better than most, what happens there.

A 'twee market town' ? ?

And ice cream and funfairs Petra

There are also a great number of British criminals in Spain.

PS. Oh yes! Very twee!

@rosesarered

I live in Essex and have lived and worked in the county for over 30 years. Of course I know the major towns.