With rising political tension and division, immigration has become a central factor in decision making when it comes to cherry-picking political parties. Meaning, selectively presenting data that support a political agenda or viewpoint whilst ignoring or suppressing any other contradictory evidence; creating a misleading picture of a supposed reality to persuade voters and discredit political opponents and fact.
The average birth rate, also measured as the total fertility rate, is approximatley 1.39 to 1.41 children per woman. This metric sits quite below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. This concludes that the UK population will shrink unless something occurs to replenish the numbers; and unless there is an unlikely turnaround in the birth rate- which is least likely to happen due to rising economic problems, with rising geo-political tensions and environmental issues. Making the only realistic solution for population growth inward migration. The numbers are simple, without people, there is no economy. And without a sustainable and sufficient working population, there is no one to support the ageing population via pensions. Soon, the UK is likely to go into crisis due to an imbalance between the working and ageing population, unless there is a radical change to the societal structure, increased migration is an excellent solution to this problem. We need migrants, including economic migrants, to come into the UK, in order to pay the pensions of the ageing population. Its a simple arithmetic, unless there is a significant boost in the TFR (Total Fertility Rate), the economics of retirement in this country will not add up to sustain economy.
Migration is not a new introduction to the UK, in fact this country is built on immigration and diversity. An excellent example of this is the Windrush generation, which provided vital labor that contributed into rebuilding post war britain, staff the newly formed National Health Service (NHS), and run public transport networks, though the later faced systematic injustice. This generation of Caribbean workers took on essential jobs in factories, construction and manufacturing; thousands of women worked as nurses and healthcare staff to keep hospitals running smoothly. With this, they have also enriched society through the introduction of new music, food, and fashion which has contributed into reshaping modern British culture. Nonetheless, through their push for equality, their activism and resilience has helped drive the creation of Britain’s early anti discrimination and race relations laws; helping future migrant generations to integrate into British society.
As a migrant myself, I am only fortunate enough to be in England through the effort of my family. My family are of Polish origin, with my much further extended family mostly originating from a combination of Polish, Russian and German origin. Earlier generations of my family have migrated to the UK and Germany, in search for work opportunity as post WW2 Poland faced a scarce economy and lack of opportunity due to the devastating communist and fascist rule for many years. In 2004, Poland had joined the European Union, opening borders for Poles to enter the UK, through the EU’s right to free movement, opening up the UK’s labor market to an estimate of 800,000 Polish migrants. Polish people were often praised for their work ethic and constructive abilities, right until the EU referendum, a political “rhetoric” ahead of the 2016 Brexit vote heavily targeted at the EU freedom of movement, placing Polish and other Eastern European migrants under intense public scrutiny. With this rise, social hostility against migrants has risen, with documented spikes in xenophobic incidents and hate speech directed at Eastern european neighbourhoods and businesses across the UK. Causing many Eastern Europeans to re-evaluate their stay, or return to their country of origin due to the increase of social friction. But many people do not just move for economic opportunity. People forget that migration is increasingly driven by persecution, war and political hostility, and very soon, climate change will also cause new waves of migrants. In short, people arrive in a new country, settle there, integrate into a new society, contribute to its economy and culture, making it stronger and more stable. This is evident all throughout history, this is how the UK came to be what it is.
Immigration is vital in society because it incorporates a wider range of voices and perspectives, from art, history and story telling could guide to a better understanding the way that migration shapes and forms communities and places.
The biggest issue is the dismissal and criticism of people who are simply trying to survive, the same way you are. The only difference between you and a migrant is geographical chance, not everyone is fortunate enough to stay in their home countries; life is a fight for survival, life is not a promise. Challenge the rhetoric, political narratives demonise migrants and create a divisive Britain.
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