UK reacts too late to mass immigration
Five years after Brexit, net migration keeps hitting record highs. The government announces restrictions, but critics see them as cosmetic. An analysis of the paradox.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
UK reacts too late to mass immigration
Brexit promised border control, but five years on net migration is still at record levels. A viral video shows an unemployed young man filming himself on his phone as he criticises the government's failure to curb the arrival of foreigners. Nobody misses the irony: Brexit campaigners sold sovereignty, and the result is the same loss of control as in the EU.
The mirage of border control
Supporters of leaving the European Union argued that regaining sovereignty would allow the UK to select migrants according to the country's needs. However, official figures show that net migration in 2023 exceeded 700,000 people, far above pre-Brexit levels. Rishi Sunak's government has announced restrictive measures, but critics say they are cosmetic: raising the minimum salary for work visas or limiting family reunification does nothing to stop irregular arrivals.
The paradox of the 'sheep' voter
Some analysts argue that Brexit voters were deceived: they believed leaving the EU would solve immigration, but the reality is that the UK still needs cheap labour and businesses push to keep the doors open. Others argue the problem is not the EU but the lack of political will to enforce effective controls. Meanwhile, tensions are rising on the streets, along with cases of assaults attributed to migrants, although the mainstream press keeps quiet about them.
The question nobody answers is whether any measure will be enough while the British economic model depends on imported precarious labour.
Related discussions in the forum
Brexit promised border control, but five years on net migration is still at record levels. A viral video shows an unemployed young man filming himself on his phone as he criticises the government's failure to curb the arrival of foreigners. Nobody misses the irony: Brexit campaigners sold sovereignty, and the result is the same loss of control as in the EU.
The mirage of border control
Supporters of leaving the European Union argued that regaining sovereignty would allow the UK to select migrants according to the country's needs. However, official figures show that net migration in 2023 exceeded 700,000 people, far above pre-Brexit levels. Rishi Sunak's government has announced restrictive measures, but critics say they are cosmetic: raising the minimum salary for work visas or limiting family reunification does nothing to stop irregular arrivals.
The paradox of the 'sheep' voter
Some analysts argue that Brexit voters were deceived: they believed leaving the EU would solve immigration, but the reality is that the UK still needs cheap labour and businesses push to keep the doors open. Others argue the problem is not the EU but the lack of political will to enforce effective controls. Meanwhile, tensions are rising on the streets, along with cases of assaults attributed to migrants, although the mainstream press keeps quiet about them.
The question nobody answers is whether any measure will be enough while the British economic model depends on imported precarious labour.
Related discussions in the forum
- CEOE president called ANTI-SPANISH (for asking for more and more immigrant workers) and this happens: · 164 replies
- You have to work and have children to lift the country up · 93 replies
- The silence of the Madrid lambs (Sarajevo news) · 1834 replies
- Housing prices in Spain, both new and second-hand, accelerate their rise in April, up 15.4% year-on-year, the highest rate since · 37 replies
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (20 replies).
More summaries
-
Birmingham Flag Dispute Sparks UK Culture War
Birmingham council seeks High Court order to remove unauthorized flags as the city undergoes demographic shifts.
-
UK Clean Air Zones Collapse: Destroyed Cameras and Budget Cuts Paralyze Enforcement
Enforcement of UK Clean Air Zones (Low Emission Zones) is paralyzed by widespread camera vandalism and police budget cuts.
-
From the 15M campout to Sol: Fifteen Years and the Same Script
The housing protest culminates in a campout in Sol with the 2011 slogan. The electoral calendar and a potential non-payment regulation are central to the analysis.
-
Electric cars hit 52.8% of new registrations in the Netherlands
Electric cars accounted for 52.8% of new registrations in the Netherlands in September, with Tesla second. In Spain, nearly 18,000 public chargers remain out of service.
-
Spain's Verifactu invoicing system delayed to October 2028 in fourth postponement
Spain's Verifactu system, which will force freelancers to send every invoice to the tax authorities in real time, is delayed to October 2028 in its fourth postponement. The software…
-
March from Sol to Congress after Mari Carmen's death in Spain
A march called on social media is heading from the Sol encampment to Congress following the death of Mari Carmen, evicted by the fund Urbagestión, in the middle of Spain's election campaign.