Immigration - We are no longer an Island

Our benefits system was designed for and by an Island People, but we are no longer an Island.

Immigration is not the problem, uncontrolled borders is the problem. We welcome people with the skills and talents which this country requires. We should properly compensate those invited immigrants who come here to work, irrespective of where they come from. Our present subsidies are designed to be a safety net for our own citizens, not a Disney Land of freebies for the Benefit Tourists. All our benefits arrangements, and indeed all other systems in this country, were developed and put in place with an ‘island mentality’. Naturally, for thousands of years, we have only needed to develop systems with such a mentality. On the Continent their systems are different, based on generations of shifting borders and easily crossed frontiers; a ‘continental mentality’ is quite different to ours. Oil and water simply don’t mix.

It is hateful, manipulative and politically irresponsible to label any discussion on Immigration as Racist. Concerns about the unfettered movement or invasions of peoples from other countries into this country are widely held and it is quite right that such concerns are brought into public debate. Being against ‘Benefit Tourists’ is not racist, it is common sense economics. Great Britain is historically a melting pot of many races; Danes, Flemish, French, Irish, Scots, Angles and Saxons. Today’s pot of ethnic Britons, since expansions in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries includes all the races in the world. Just consider.

·        Is it fair that someone who comes here from another Country to work can claim child benefits and send those UK taxpayer subsidised benefits directly to another country?

·        Is it fair that foreign visitors, or those who have just settled here, should have the benefit of our Health Service before they have paid a single penny into the system?

If you do happen to think this is fair and acceptable, trying going as a Brit to any other country in the world and try to get free at the point of delivery care from an overseas health service. I for one have had such experiences; before I ever saw a clinician I had to prove to an administrator how I was going to pay for the medical care I might require and receive.

The first duty of anyone in public office is to protect their indigenous people first. It is also the view of every single Nation in the world; it would appear, except ours.

We do have an appropriate word to describe wishing to care for one’s own people foremost, it is ‘Home Guard’. It is a term well known to us as it was used, albeit in a different way during the last war. However it accurately describes how most other countries do things and it makes such good common sense.

Being a member of the EU is an open door to economic migrants, mostly from former communist countries in Europe where living standards have always been and remain well below our own. We are presently being invaded by economic migrants and benefits tourists. UKIP would leave the EU and take back control of our borders. In accordance with UKIP’s Military Covenant, all those who have served in our Armed forces for 12 years or more would be guaranteed a job in The Border Force or other law enforcement services.

Work permits would be issued to fill skills gaps in the UK jobs market. We want to help create good paying jobs, develop our industries and add to a healthy and vibrant economy. This country has always welcomed immigrants with special skills; in my own industry we welcomed religious and political refugees who had skills in weaving and textiles. My own family arrived as the labour force required to dig canals and build viaducts. As in the past, those coming to work here should have a job to go to and a command of English; they should have agreed accommodation prior to arrival and have NHS approved health insurance. We have much to offer in return for those coming here who will contribute to our society. Migrants would be offered in and out of work benefits after they had contributed to tax and National Insurance after just 5 years and would be eligible to apply for permanent residence after only 10 years in work. UKIP welcomes foreign spouses under the primary purpose rule which would be re-instated. However we do not propose to offer any amnesty to illegal migrants or to those who have obtained entry by fraud. UKIP entirely supports and would adhere to the UN Convention on Refugees which serves to protect the vulnerable.

The Conservative Home Secretary said ‘’badly managed migration has led to serious social impacts in some areas, with pressure being placed on key public services such as schools, the health service, transport, housing and welfare.” She clearly understands the problem, why has she done nothing about it? Latest immigration figures show well over a million people came to this country over the last 2 years to September 2014. (ONS 624,000 people immigrated to the UK in the year ending September 2014, a statistically significant increase from 530,000 in the previous 12 months).That’s OFFICIALLY over 1.1 million immigrants. How many more are here unofficially? The fact is the Government’s hands are tied; tied by Brussels. The answer is a no brain’er. Nobody in UKIP spoke about immigration until 2004 when the EU flood gates were opened. It is these flood gates which must be shut.

It seems Labour understands the problem too, their Shadow Home Secretary said, “employers and recruitment agencies are exploiting immigration or using zero-hours contracts to undercut local wages and jobs.” Instead of pressing for business and taxpayers to increase wages by law to a ‘living wage’ (New speak for a higher minimum wage), why don’t they tackle the problem of depressed wages at source? They won’t even allow a referendum on the matter. This is the ultimate arrogance. This seems to me and many others as ‘brainlessness’ on one side of the House of Commons, and ‘arrogance’ on the other. Is it any wonder the people are losing faith in the present political elite?

You all know that I am sure that I think supporting UKIP is the best thing to do for Britain.

And, on May 7^th the people will decide. Either by casting their votes or by staying at home and letting others decide for them.

Promoted, published & printed by Paul Rogan on behalf of himself & Calderdale Branch UKIP, both at 363 Stainland Rd, Stainland, HX4 9HF.