Migrant Crisis - Bit of a controversial one

[Gavlah1973]

This is bound to stir up some differing opinions...... just been reading the news this morning. Due to the deal that means migrants coming from Turkey are sent back it looks like some are now embarking on a more perilous journey from Libya to Italy. Instead of the traditional route through Western Greece.
Obviously this potentially brings into play the Ionian islands due to their location. 

Do we think that we may start to see migrants arriving in Corfu sometime in the near future?

[rilo57]

Dont realy see the logic in coming to corfu..much to far to take a boat to italy...we see the problem here often (Belgium) If your on the motorway E40 heading Calais  lots of them walking on the hard shoulder.causeing real problems at Dunkirke and eurotunnel terminal..

[Rover]

Wow! Not going to get into any leave or stay argument, but my position will be determined by the economic repercussions of the decision, not on a perceived immigration issue.

[Gavlah1973]

Mine will be both Rover

[Tredegar Boy]

Perceived immigrant crisis!! I think that depends on your experience and where you live. From my experience we have a crisis.

[Intentioncraft]

Do the worm on Accropolis
Slam dance Cosmopolis
Enlighten the Populace

[Waspman]

Perceived immigrant crisis!! I think that depends on your experience and where you live. From my experience we have a crisis.

Correct Tredagar Boy

[Jimbo]

There's a huge distinction between internal migration in the EU and refugees. You can't just lump them all together.

Migrants (temporary or otherwise) from within the EU have paid more tax than they've taken in benefits. The idea that they're spongers is a fiction cooked up by flag-waving fantasists spurred on the by the Mail and the Sun. And I seriously doubt that anybody is going to attempt to get from Syria to Corfu in an inflatable.

We are NOT part of the Schengen Area, and our borders are as secure as they ever were.

The EU is imperfect, flawed, and under the influence of wealthy multi-national corporations. But that seems to me to be a better option than the kamikaze dive into economic chaos that will result from a vote to leave.

[Waspman]

There's a huge distinction between internal migration in the EU and refugees. You can't just lump them all together.

Migrants (temporary or otherwise) from within the EU have paid more tax than they've taken in benefits. The idea that they're spongers is a fiction cooked up by flag-waving fantasists spurred on the by the Mail and the Sun. And I seriously doubt that anybody is going to attempt to get from Syria to Corfu in an inflatable.

We are NOT part of the Schengen Area, and our borders are as secure as they ever were.

The EU is imperfect, flawed, and under the influence of wealthy multi-national corporations. But that seems to me to be a better option than the kamikaze dive into economic chaos that will result from a vote to leave.

Poppycock

[Jimbo]

Lucid and well-argued reply, George.

[Rover]

Good to see a well structured argument?

[Tredegar Boy]

If we weren't already in would you vote to join? Any takers. I strongly believe that in 10 years time the EU won't exist as we know it. To survive the eurozone will have to integrate ever closer leaving the likes of UK ever more on the outside looking in. With the continued rise of some far right parties Europe ain't going to be a pretty place.

As for the CBI and other big business supporting the IN campaign these are the same people who said we should join the euro or lose out. That went well.

[Gavlah1973]

Pretty much my viewpoint!!

[Jimbo]

As Gavin said, this is one of the most divisive issues that I can remember.

I don't think, given the geography, that there's any chance of Syrian refugees landing on Corfu. So we can rest safely, Mythos in hand, undisturbed by the vast humanitarian crisis that's still unfolding.

It's important, I think, to (as others have said) distinguish between given shelter to refugees and economic migrants from EU countries. Despite the manifest lies that Farage has told (he said that we faced an influx of immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria that was actually bigger than the populations of both countries combined) EU immigrants have paid lots of tax, taken few benefits, and represent an effective export.

The In/Out debate will be an angry and often irrational one over the next three months. There are valid arguments on both sides. I veer on the side of staying in because the Out campaign has so far failed to present any coherent plan and has instead relied upon vague flag-waving and a Dad's Army approach to economics. Give me some facts. I'm listening!

[tonyco1]

Well I speak as I find, I love Jim as a holiday friend, but I have a differing opinion, while respecting his.
I find it a touch condescending though, to slate - and say  - that the Mail and Sun are spouting fiction and are wrong in their opinion, as lot's of what they say is true.  Well sorry mate but I do read the Mail, (and the Sun has the largest circulation), so that's a bit of an insult, to the many.
They are no more wrong than the fiction and spin in the Morning Star, the Guardian, the Independent etc, all left-wing rags with low circulation, and opposing views.
It's just opinion and spin for headlines after all, most can see past the spin.
The trouble is if anyone expresses any view right of centre, the baying trots come out and call you racist which is totally wrong on every level.
People are scared to express a view.

I judge a lot by my neibourhood, originally a great place to live, which has changed dramatically for the worse,
and is inundated with every kind of immigrant, from refugee asylum seekers, and EU migrants, and families housed by the council.
The local houses are all rented out bar a few owner-occupiers, and are rented by the room, stuffed with people.
Now I'm not racist or anti-immigrant, but I am realistic. Almost all of my neighbours are immigrants, and some are really great, good friends in fact,
some are really bad, just like anywhere in the UK, but the numbers are now overwhelming in my area.

It's impossible to get a GP appointment, hospitals and the NHS in all forms, is overwhelmed.
Even parking is a major problem now, & crime has risen greatly.
Different groups don't integrate, but keep in their own circles, and look down on the locals like they were second class.
English is heard less and less. There are big queues at the local benefits office, yet there is plenty of employment.

I really don't care if more taxes are coming in - I just see the results.
The results are king, which all the trendy academics conveniently ignore as they throw spin, figures and facts around, and mainly don't have the problems in their areas that I have found where I live.

The Blair administration deceived the people of this country and allowed us to be swamped in many areas, without building up the infrastructure to match.
The bottom line is we just can't cope and when so many of a totally different religious group come in those kind of numbers, it changes the fundamental fabric of the area and indeed the  country.
Don't anyone dare to try and tell me any different, because I see it every day. I  am going to have to move outwards away from Greater London as I no longer want to live like this.
This is now just my opinion:
I am for immigration as we obviously need it, but it must be controlled, on a points system.
Our benefits shouldn't be any better than the rest of Europe, as it's too attractive for those who don't want to work.
I was one who voted for the common market but I never voted for the sly politicians to try and make us the United States of Europe.
So I for one won't care about the scare stories, I know the UK will prosper whatever happens, I know what I will vote for !!