http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politi ... 4170?f=rss

I do hope there's some sort of evidence of this, cos you'll get to see everyone's true colours then - Labour would have to deny it even if it became blatantly obvious they'd been p1ssing in the ecosystem, the Tories would probably become a little more forthcoming about their real take on the issue and knowing them, divided over it, the BNP could either make serious political capital or hang themselves with it, and the Lib Dems will just be ignored as usual

Also remember that we have an ageing population. By the time I am of retirement age, the system will not be able to cope with the huge amount of old people with a very small amount of young people of working age to support them. If we, as a society, are not breeding enough to support us in our old age, then we have to bring in that support from elsewhere.

I've no problem with the thinking behind that, but I'm always wary of the figures that get bandied about - I'm not saying it can't/won't happen, I'm just saying I don't generally trust 'figures' enough to make an opinion out of them. Christ, I'm open minded about what may happen with our naturally aging population is what I'm trying to say

Either way, it still wouldn't justify what sounds there suspiciously like unchecked immigration...

The other way to look at this is that we as a nation are simply not saving enough to pay for our retirement. Governments do not like that solution because it will mean lower GDP as people save.

In a lot of ways it was a good thing - people coming over for a (relatively) short period - say a few years - paying tax and NI and then buggering off.

However, the resultant strain on public services from increased demand (typically) wasn't planned for.

I would think that if they want to allow economic migrants in to work before returning then that is a good thing. Maybe with rules that prevent them from staying or marrying for citizenship, not claiming benefits, bar possible accident health cover. The government could even help transfer money back home for them for free, either monthly or annually. These funds could be collected in their home country. There are many ways of allowing migration. Though the government will have to spend money to improve the lot of the unemployed and working class who are most impacted by immigration. More social housing is a must. And an end to property bubbles which enable the lower income and working class to get on the property ladder.

I've taken a quick look at some of the stats (most recent being 2007) for immigration into the UK, and the results are....interesting. Up until recently, most immgrants to the UK came from former colonies such as Australia, Canada, NZ etc. Although these countries still contribute a huge amount to the overall immigration load, they have been overtaken by the European "A8" countries; these are places such as Latvia, Estonia, Poland et al.

In 2007, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) gives an overall migration figure of 577k into the UK....wow! That's overall immigration from everywhere though. But interestingly the same year 340k immigrants left the UK. Don't forget, that's not expats leaving for Marbella but foreign workers returning home. The net gain of Australia/NZ/Canada/South Africa was 73k, and of the A8 euro countries...as above....was 87k. So there's only a slim difference between the gained amount of the eastern europeans, who get villified, and backpacking Aussies working in Earl's Court, who are taken to our hearts!!

ONS stats on country of origin, 1991 to 2007 (check "2 Series TIM Calendar Year): http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/P ... vlnk=15053

Panorama list of European A8 countries: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/p ... 479759.stm

That's because Aussies speak English and were part of the Empire.

And they're pink, like the indigenous British aborigines.

Oops. Hope that didn't offend anyone.