What's behind British political opposition to immigration?

Immigration is a central theme in British politics with the Conservative government taking a hard line against people seeking to stay in the country.
The opposition Labour Party says it too wants to reduce the number of arrivals, but with different plans.
Yet, despite the negative political climate, net migration in 2022 stood at more than 600,000 people, a record level.
Why is there such political opposition to immigration in Britain?


Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests:

Christa Rottensteiner, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration

Fizza Qureshi, CEO, Migrants' Rights Network

Peter Geoghegan, Editor-in-chief, openDemocracy independent news website



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[stoneruler]

Beacuse we've extended our generosity far too much.
We have immigrants who don't share values of this country, some who outright despise democratic and liberal ideas.
Many have little to no working expertise and live off the welfare system.
I think immigration is needed, but we definitely need to vet the people who are allowed to come.

[harrycallahan]

Qatar should be the destination of choice.
Use all the empty world cup stadiums to house them.

[brolaire]

We don’t want to diluted, we don’t want wages kept down by excess labour, we don’t want our woman and children physically and sexually assaulted. Do I need to go on?

[autogenerate]

Brits are upset bc companies prefer to recruit foreign workers who earn 20% less than the average wage instead of upskilling the over 5 million Brits who are currently not working. These foreign workers earn so little that their tax contribution is almost insignificant yet they bring with them dependents who put pressure on public services and infrastructure, e.g: housing prices are through the roof now, the NHS is overwhelmed, etc. When ppl see their living standard being affected, surely they will speak to their MPs. That's why the government is under pressure.

[PawanSinghThakuri]

Isn't qatar one of the richest why can't they have it????

[jayechow]

Should start with Sunat, he is a migrant himself.

[benfisher]

Maybe because we dont like seeing our homeland irrevocably changed forever??

[RichardsWorld]

Some countries don't want their race to be diluted. Whether they want to admit it or not, this is still happening. Brazil actually wanted to dilute their population by getting lots of Asians to immigrate.

[omidpourhossein]

when the US invaded Iraq, Ukraine:
A) took a stance against the invasion
B) stayed neutral
C) sent troops the help the US occupy Iraq
If you picked C you're a winner!

[jarrowmarrow]

Britains been exporting people for centuries.

[viktor_with_a_k]

Use Qatar as a good example. It relies mainly on foreign workforce in every possible sector. None of them will become Qatari, doesn't matter how long they live in the country or contribution to community.

[gabemore]

I’m telling you now it’s at breaking point in uk wars gonna be brutal here

[JoeyBlogs]

Stop the Boats !!! Stop the Boats !!! Stop the Boats !!!

[mrdacusthenavigator]

I see nothing wrong with the idea of Britian putting a cap on immigrants. They already have their own citizens as a first priority.

[sjishah]

Top migrant groups:
1) India - 215K
2)Ukraine - 197K
3)Nigeria - 74K
4)Philippines - 41K
5)USA - 22K
6)Germany - 13. 5K
7)Italy - 11.3K
8)Sri Lanka - 10.8K
9)Bangladesh 10.6K
10)China 9.9K
11)South Africa 8.4K
12)Pakistan 7.2K

[ard-]

Just wondering... the PM parents and families also immigrated from other country to UK. I think his wife families too.
So why now opposed immigrants? Is he forgotting his own background?

I'm not British so thats why Im wondering.

[alantran]

Well, this phenomenon will soon happen in almost western countries. No doubt!

[ansh_u_r]

They are welcome to rich country Qatar.

[murk]

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are wonderful rich Muslim countries these people should go to.

[tvismyonlyfriend]

There is a term in poli sci called Human Capital.

London is an epic centre but what about giving other places a chance