Macron's state visit.

The total number of immigrants to the UK is much higher than the population of Norwich. I assume you're also concerned about them.

Whitewavemark2

But it is only a big issue to some - notably the old demographic, Tory voters and less educated.

There are far bigger issues.

Like the economy

Defence

Intelligence

Etc etc.

How very rude!!

What makes you think that you are better educated than those of us that worry about the number of undocumented illegal (mostly young men) immigrants arriving on our shores. It should be a big issue for everyone and it certainly will be if it continues year on year out

The thousands that arrive by small boats per year equate to a city the size of Norwich and the numbers are increasing at an alarming rate.

You must live in a very rural area to not be touched by what is happening. Take your blinkers off

Iam64

growstuff

Calendargirl

winterwhite

From what I've read Macron has said some good and positive things.

A pity if all this gets obscured on here by migration, which is not a problem created by France. Can't we talk about anything else?

But migration is a big issue, and seeing as they set off to us from France….

The vast majority of immigrants to the UK do not set off from France.

Is the problem that the UK has too many immigrants or that some don't have visas and arrive on small boats or some other irregular means?

Never forget we take less asylum seekers than other European countries. We are an island, so trying to cross the channel from France is the option

I haven't forgotten. Not only that, but some countries such as Turkey and Jordan have many times more refugees than the UK - as does Germany.

What annoys me is that people casually talk about "immigrants" and then go on about overpopulation, lack of infrastructure, etc. However, the vast majority of immigrants in the UK are here legally and are contributing to society.

If people want to talk about the people arriving on small boats, I wish they'd find a different term.

LizzieDrip

FriedGreenTomatoes2

And Starmer wanted us to lock down for longer. I remember that …

Hello FGT

It wasn’t the length of lockdowns per se, as far as I was concerned. It was the not feeling like we were in safe hands - as the French seemed to feel with Macron.

Welcome back FGT - we missed you

Do you think Starmer would have handled the pandemic any better? I certainly don't feel in safe hands now with this present government

winterwhite

From what I've read Macron has said some good and positive things.

A pity if all this gets obscured on here by migration, which is not a problem created by France. Can't we talk about anything else?

Yes, there were a lot of positives, like for example, avoiding the risks to children of social media algorithms he mentioned. That has relevance because Macron says he’ll ban social media for under 15s in France. But this won't affect children in the UK.

I guess migration is the most common-to-us- all topic, so it's only natural it gets the most comments. And Starmer is putting it very high on his agenda for tomorrow.

Also, there's separate threads on here for the Gaza issue where posters could mention what Macron said. Likewise what he said about Ukraine. Its difficult to condense it all - and just shows what a good all encompassing speech it was.

growstuff

Calendargirl

winterwhite

From what I've read Macron has said some good and positive things.

A pity if all this gets obscured on here by migration, which is not a problem created by France. Can't we talk about anything else?

But migration is a big issue, and seeing as they set off to us from France….

The vast majority of immigrants to the UK do not set off from France.

Is the problem that the UK has too many immigrants or that some don't have visas and arrive on small boats or some other irregular means?

Never forget we take less asylum seekers than other European countries. We are an island, so trying to cross the channel from France is the option

Calendargirl

winterwhite

From what I've read Macron has said some good and positive things.

A pity if all this gets obscured on here by migration, which is not a problem created by France. Can't we talk about anything else?

But migration is a big issue, and seeing as they set off to us from France….

The vast majority of immigrants to the UK do not set off from France.

Is the problem that the UK has too many immigrants or that some don't have visas and arrive on small boats or some other irregular means?

But it is only a big issue to some - notably the old demographic, Tory voters and less educated.

There are far bigger issues.

Like the economy

Defence

Intelligence

Etc etc.

winterwhite

From what I've read Macron has said some good and positive things.

A pity if all this gets obscured on here by migration, which is not a problem created by France. Can't we talk about anything else?

But migration is a big issue, and seeing as they set off to us from France….

From what I've read Macron has said some good and positive things.

A pity if all this gets obscured on here by migration, which is not a problem created by France. Can't we talk about anything else?

Maybe Macron touched on this when he said that a third of migrants entering the EU were heading for the UK. The latter obviously appears more attractive and desirable than other European countries.

The one in, one sent back scheme seems flawed to me, because France will want to do the same thing with Italy and Spain, and I can't see Meloni and others accepting that. Italy wants to pass the migrants on through Europe, not have half of them sent back because there's nowhere for them to go from there.

Food for thought!

Allira

^President Macron thinks we offer too many perks and that the UK is more attractive to migrants than other European countries.^

Interesting, GrannyGravy.
Did President Macron specify exactly what he meant by perks?

I have just seen this quote on BBC from President Macron, when referring to the migrant boat crossings.

Britain needs to make the UK less appealing

Calendargirl

I hope the boats issue gets aired.

I did hear a bit where he commented about the illegal crossings………I wonder if he has remembered just how much money the UK are sending to France to fund the policing of French shores……….probably not!

President Macron thinks we offer too many perks and that the UK is more attractive to migrants than other European countries.

Interesting, GrannyGravy.
Did President Macron specify exactly what he meant by perks?

lafergar

Ah yes, the perks.

?

Ah yes, the perks.

I hope that the Macrons enjoy their State Visit.

More importantly I hope that the migrant summit between the two countries tomorrow comes up with solutions. I do not want to see anyone else drowning in the channel.

I also think we need to address who is allowed to claim asylum and then bring in their families.

President Macron thinks we offer too many perks and that the UK is more attractive to migrants than other European countries.

We arrived at our rural gite in Normandy yesterday and the first thing that was mentioned by the elderly owners, was the Macron/King Charles meeting etc.

This visit is doing a lot of good for renewing/reviving the Entente Cordiale.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

And Starmer wanted us to lock down for longer. I remember that …

Where have you been? So pleased you are back.

Charles liked it too😊

Loved the phrase

“Overcoming our pride and prejudice”

That just about sums Brexit up.

escaped

On paper yes, Whitewavemark2. But I was thinking of covid because it was mentioned above. Every country did their own thing with no agreement. What I'm thinking is, that if the chips were seriously down, would every nation come together for the benefit of all? I hope it's never put to the test.

But the argument for Brexit was that we had to adhere to everything we were told to do. And yet the pandemic showed that those in the EU were still individual countries able to react in the way that was best for their countries.

Wow, I had to look twice to check it was them.

Sorry, back to the serious stuff

Welcome back FriedGreenToms, it hasn’t been the same without you