It’s hard to categorize what is going on in the political world today. News moves on so frequently that, by the time one grasps the details of a fullblown crisis, another has already begun, the first laid to bed. However, it cannot be denied that migration – the movement of people around the world – has played a serious, consistent part in political events over the last few years. Whether it be optional economic migration or asylum seekers and refugees forced to move, people fleeing their homes for fear of death, immigration has often be used as a negative tool to whip up fear and hatred among communities instead of promoting integration.
A clear reason for this negative attitudes has been the failure of Europe to get its act together on tackling migration. On economic immigration, by refusing to promote the economic, social and cultural benefits gained from migrants, reactionary divisive figures have had a monopoly on immigration views. More seriously however, is the travesty refugees and asylum seekers face. One cannot begin to imagine the daily horrors they face in their country of origin, fear at the sound of a plane, poverty, uncertainty, no chance of a good, solid life. Who can fail to see why they wish for their future to lie in Europe: a continent ridden, yes, with problems but one of peace? Clearly, the approrach shown when mass migration of refugees accelerately four to five years ago had to change. There was no sense of proportion or strategy from any country, especially in 2015 when over a million migrants arrived. Germany simply accepted too many migrants in too short a space of time, not allowing proper registering and integrating. Britain and many other European countries failed to show any compassion, turning the blind eye to a crisis developing on our doorstep. While current arrivals are 95% lower than the peak of October 2015, this was an unsustainable approach from all parties involved. Many of the proposals set out at the recent EU summit look quite sensible. A plan to set up ‘secure centres’ to process asylum claims across Europe should hopefully ensure a fair, proper process of application, providing the funding and will to help people is there. The debate about whether refugees and asylum seekers should be processed in the first safe country they arrive in lurches on. It is no wonder that countries like Italy, receiving a large share of migrants simply due to their coastline, desire the intake to be more spread out across Europe. In the UK, listening to councils who say they can take more refugees should incentivise Britain to do its rightful part to help. I was relieved to plans to ‘break the business model of people-smuggling.’ Gangs that initiate, or are complicit in such action are truly awful, seeing humans in their most vulnerable state as commodities. Many transport refugees across the seas, something that can never be safe no matter what the conditions. A recent sinking off the Libyan cost suggests 100 people have tragically drowned. Countries should be taking refugees from the camps themselves, so they don’t feel the need to risk their lives on unsafe boats. It sounds strange, but those who desire lower immigration should be the champions of international aid. I myself am quite liberal on (legal) immigration and strongly support the 0.7% of GDP commitment to overseas development, as long as the money is well spent and goes to those who need it. Yet those who wish for lower immigration must surely champion the growing success of LEDCs, as people will feel more inclined to start up businesses, families and a livelihood there. By helping other countries to develop and base their values on the rule of law, we also make Britain a safer place from Jihadist terrorists. The investment in Africa, a huge, influential contintent blighted by immense poverty, to allow a ‘substantial socioeconomic transformation’ can only be good. UK immigration looks uncertain after Brexit. According to the Metro last week, the number of EU workers has already declined by 43%. Given freedom of movement looks overwhelmingly likely to end, economic migration will be based on the market. If there are jobs for people to come to, they will come. As for refugees and asylum seekers, Britain and Europe as a whole must play its part to help those who need it most. The distribution of refugees and asylum seekers should be spread out, based on population density and the capacity of communities. Then, learning the native language and feeling engaged in the community must be encouraged. These may seem like simple solutions but they are the foundations for ensuring new citizens feel welcomed and a key part of the society they have moved to. That, to me, perfectly balances much-needed compassion with proportion and fairness.
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