I know this doesn't cover all these arrivals, but if someone has managed to get here, he or she probably has some energy and persistence and probably some intelligence as well.
As a result, they have the makings of an asset to this country. I should add that a recent leader of the Conservatives - Michael Howard - comes from Romanian parentage, the Milliband brothers are of Russian descent, the Grade brothers, who became entertainment impresarios, were born in Tokmak in the Ukraine. I just mention these examples to illustrate my point.
I accept that there needs to be controls on the arrival of foreigners.
I live in Norfolk and the local farming 'industry' has depended on mainly eastern European workers coming to pick salad and fruit crops. Last Summer, there weren't enough and many crops were left in the fields to rot. However, some of these immigrants stayed and we now have a Lithuanian delicatessen in the little town where I live.
I can understand that when there are large groups of immigrants forming a ghetto it can be worrying and should be prevented if this can be done without causing offence to either side.
Anyone unable to find a home or a job can see immigrants, particularly when there is an area with a lot of them, as the cause of their problems. And that can also cause friction.
I feel proud of my nationality when I hear of this country doing something to improve the world (support for poor and starving people in Africa would be a good example). I am ashamed when I hear of us causing pain in countries where we have little to justify our presence (no names but I hope you can guess). I think we have lost a lot of our standing in civilised countries as a result.
I've probably said too much so I will stop there.
NN
