A Life in Beta

A few weeks back, in the wake of Nick Griffin’s bizarre appearance on Question Time, there was much discussion and column writing on the failure of the Labour Party to articulate any meaningful or informed defence of immigration into the UK either on the night or in recent months. 

Given that Jack Straw must (surely?) have been aware that much of the discussion on the night would turn to the thorny topic of immigration and assimilation of immigrants into mainstream UK society I was appalled by how badly prepared he seemed to be. Beyond the emotive but passé lines that often get trotted out e.g. “my grandfather….”, “most immigrants to this country are honest, hardworking and contributing members of society” we got nothing of substance to demonstrate the real – measurable value – of immigration into the UK.

So it was with great interest that I read this sonderful post from my fellow WIP Alumni and Irish economist, Ronan Lyons.

This makes for fascinating reading and leaving aside the fact that Ronan recognises a number of assumptions / extrapolations need to be made in the absence of available data it presents a strong case – even as a snapshot – for the value of immigration to Ireland PLC.

I’d love to see something similar for the UK. Does anything similar exist? If not, why not? If so – what story does it tell?

Immigration is an emotive subject and no doubt mistakes have been made in managing the process in certain areas of the UK – both for immigrants and those already living in communities affected by larger than expected (a notable policy failure) population movements. There i also no doubt that many working class white (and traditional Labour Party) voters have felt abandoned by the traditional bosom of the Labour Party in the pursuit of free market economics with a heart. 

The new UKvisas Points Based System will help I am sure (for me Points beats a cap approach hands down when managed well), as will the implementation of the eBorders system in assisting with tracking movement both in and out of the UK – both programmes have come later than perhaps required but they are also notably “negative” policy responses to the problem at hand – both exist to reassure the public that we “have a handle” on the issue.  Where are the positive policy elelments to sit alongside these? 

This Government simply cannot continue to rely on its instinct that “immigration is a good thing” nor expect the people of the UK as a whole to do likewise – even if they share that instinct – which research suggests the vast majority do. And nor should they shy away from embracing immigration and get off the back foot when discussing the topic. But continually that is what we see and hear. It fuels the flames of the argument that “we have a problem” and does nothing to take the fight to the BNP and its like.

It saddens me to say but BNPs success is a product of New Labours failures in this area and Jack Straws unwillingness to recognise that is part of the same reason he had to share the stage with the leader of the BNP on National Television. He and many of his collagues contributed to the vacuum the BNP stepped in to fill. I fear they have neither the will, the wit or the trust of the electorate to right that wrong.

But in any event a simple and positive presentation of the facts is long overdue.  I may have missed something and if so if someone could point me in the right direction I’d be most grateful.

Until then the likes of Mr Griffin will continue to pedal their dangerous brand of divisive, fear inducing politics to a concerned and most importantly, largely uninengaged an underinformed public. 

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