Boris Johnson's Latest 'Gaff'

oldbatty said "In the UK, the people doing the taking over often come from the colonies. ESOL classes are cut right back, so fewer opportunities to learn."

Firstly, who uses the term "colonies" any more! Second, most of those coming from "colonies" already speak English.

My Mother’s generation used to use the term colonies, so much older people still do I suppose ( GNers are sometimes 90 or older.)

If anyone is interested in learning English as a foreign language, then there are some free websites, eg:
esol.britishcouncil.org/

How do you expect someone from Bangladesh, for instance- where they use a very different alphabet and sounds- to use websites. Where my last school was, the Bangladeshis came from Silhet, and spoke a dialect - and none of the parents could read and write.

Where my previous schools were, many ofthe Asian children came from Uganda, and had very erudite parents, who could read and write several languages, and whose English was fluent in all skills.

I was trying to say, I don't think the English in France is a comparable situation to for example Pakistanis living in Leeds.

The history is very different. The culture , language and colour is very different.

ESOL classes have been drastically cut especially for beginners. So sometimes people find themselves being able to start a college course because they have not got past the basics.
Web sites can help to some extent.

sorry that should read * unable*

Jalima you may well ask :
"Do they not have supermarkets in France? confused Why would anyone do that - half the fun of being in another country is shopping locally!"
'Carrefour baked beans/ bacon /pork sausages etc aren't as good as Heinz/Tescos '
Although there could be resentment in some parts of France towards british immigrants, it's on a much smaller scale so irrelevant to the subject.

But British supermarkets don't sell those huge tubs of Nesquik do they?
Full of sugar probably!

I did know someone who used to go on holiday to Tenerife and fill their suitcase with bacon, sausages, bread etc. Why!!

I don’t think the the English in France expect as much from the French as the immigrants do here.
Not most of them of course. (Immigrants, I mean) The vast majority interact with society very well.
No free french lessons for instance. No translators when in hospital.
They also don’t use all encompassing clothing which says, to me, I am separate, don’t talk or interact with me.

Don’t the ‘English in France’ have houses, incomes and have chosen to live in France. Or did we have a civil war, famine, an invading force, ethnic cleansing in the UK that somehow passed me by?

That's a whole different subject OldMeg. The issues of why immigrants travel through many other safe European countries, where they could settle in peace and safety, and yet elect to come to the UK, is surely a subject for a different thread.

OldMeg
Whilst there are a small percentage of overseas residents in the U.K. as a result of civil war or other in their country of origin, the vast majority are economic migrants.
In just about every instance Brits on the continent add value, they buy and renovate properties and the are financially non dependent on the state.

It has been shown that immigrants bring net value to this country. You are assuming that the bulk come in and are a burden on the welfare state. Our hospitals, care homes and fields used to be full of such workers...before some left feeling unwelcome.
I am sure the Spanish government find the retirees on the Spanish costa quite a drain on their health budget.

They aren't a drain on the Spanish healthcare system though Nandalot. British expats in Spain have the EHIC card.

Okay, but I understood that the EHIC meant that you received healthcare in the country that you are visiting on the same terms as the nationals. It was a reciprocal agreement so no claim on the home nation. I’ve tried to google it. Does anyone know the actual facts?

It is a waste of time comparing a white middle class person who has a second home in France with a non white person who has migrated to the UK as a sanctuary seeker or economic migrant.

The two scenarios are completely different. The whole " ban the burka" cry is about race and colour. Lets not pretend otherwise.

No it isn't at least in my case. I have friends of all creeds and colours not that I've ever thought of them as such. The people I know as friends don't hide their faces. Full stop. That's why I personally object to burkas and niquabs.

'Oldbatty*
It has been reiterated time and time again that the Burka issue has nothing to do with race, colour or religion for that fact. It is personal choice and whether as a tiny minority who choose to wear this garb should do so whilst the majority of society (worldwide) consider they should not.

I wholeheartedly agree with Jane and Joelsnan.

oldbatty You have got it so wrong!
Nothing to do with race or colour at all.
All about seeing the face of a person, and how important that is for both integration and security.
Unless you are a burqa or niquab wearer yourself why are you being so contentious?

How can you separate the burka wearing from the colour and religion? They are linked.

I don't wear either. Some time ago, I may have had misgivings. Since mixing with women who wear them, actually talking to them, going to their homes and so on, I discover they are exactly the same as me.

I think it serves certain people in politics to stir the pot for whatever reason.

How can you separate the burka wearing from the colour and religion
You can.
Especially if you know -people who are Muslim and white. However, non burka-wearing.

Just as I know Indian Roman Catholics.

And dark-skinned Indian Jews. I met one last week, a very charming lady.

oldbatty
. Since mixing with women who wear them, actually talking to them, going to their homes and so on, I discover they are exactly the same as me

What did you expect? yes, they are strong women just like you and me.

Like other people, many of whom are on this thread, sadly I had to some extent been a victim of propaganda which skewed my expectations.