So it begins….. Streeting resigns

We certainly used to hear more overt racism in France when we first moved there and I remember people saying "that would never happen here", when Obama was elected. I think it is less overt these days and you certainly see more people from French overseas territories in senior positions. French people do tend to be quite blunt. My husband got used to very detailed questions about his multiple health issues. We are back in the UK now, I don't think British reserve is quite how it was, but that didn't come a surprise.

sixandahalf

*They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea*

I'm not entirely sure how this connects with the mess we are in now.

I'm not sure either.

sazz1

I'm from French immigrant grandparents. They came in the 1920s, settled here, opened 7 shops and employed people
Grandfather was a master tailor by trade, grandmother worked in a factory during WW2.
They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea. They didn't come for benefits or the NHS. There was no NHS then. They came to marry, as they eloped here. He was wealthy, Roman Catholic and well educated. She was poor, never been to school so totally illiterate and Jewish. His family didn't approve of her.

At the time, antisemitism was rife in France. There are still Jewish families in the UK who came from France in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. It's not surprising his family didn't approve of her.

They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea

I'm not entirely sure how this connects with the mess we are in now.

I'm from French immigrant grandparents. They came in the 1920s, settled here, opened 7 shops and employed people
Grandfather was a master tailor by trade, grandmother worked in a factory during WW2.
They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea. They didn't come for benefits or the NHS. There was no NHS then. They came to marry, as they eloped here. He was wealthy, Roman Catholic and well educated. She was poor, never been to school so totally illiterate and Jewish. His family didn't approve of her.

Mamie

Having lived in France for twenty years, I would say the reasons most frequently expressed for wanting to be in the UK are family, the language and the lack of identity cards, which makes it easier to hide under the radar. I don't understand why people who are concerned about immigration are not campaigning for identity cards?

The French citizens I know who have settled in the UK are from ethnic minority backgrounds. They all have visas and are in the UK legitimately. One now has British citizenship. They don't have any other family here, although they do all speak almost fluent English. I admit it's second hand, but they have all told me that the British are less racist than the French. Discrimination against Algerians and Moroccans has a long history.

I agree Streeting was doing a good job. Why couldn't he stuck with it as it is such a major challenge, to improve/save the status of NHS what a feather in any ministers cap. Shame he's gone. NHS worker

Having lived in France for twenty years, I would say the reasons most frequently expressed for wanting to be in the UK are family, the language and the lack of identity cards, which makes it easier to hide under the radar. I don't understand why people who are concerned about immigration are not campaigning for identity cards?

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

France was introduced into the discussion in the context of immigration.

twaddle

I disagree with you that Starmer has handled immigration worse than Macron.

Eh moi?
I didn't once mention immigration or anyone's handling of that issue in my post. Are you confusing me with someone else?

I disagree with you that Starmer has handled immigration worse than Macron.

I have a number of French friends with a non-French background (Guadeloupe or Maghreb) who have chosen to live in the UK because they think that the British are less discriminatory than the French.

I know France has its own problems with immigrants. That's why I was curious that Tiggy said she'd live there, given that she seems to think that immigrants are the root of all the UK's evils.

France has its own problems, believe me I've lived there. It's hanging from a precipice with its spiralling national debt and social malaise.

But, in comparison, Macron at least has a magnetic presence, he's charismatic and eloquent. That's not in Starmer's repertoire, nor in Wes', nor in Burnham's nor in Raynor's. Macron is always a man on a mission, I've watched him in detail. He knows what's needed to survive, whereas our lot are whimps in comparison.

We're well and truly stuffed in our choices for leadership here because none of them is prepared to change their arrogant self-assured behaviour and to listen to the people.

Cloth-eared Starmer and Co. Wyllow3 sums it up at 21.47, not one of them has the necessary leadership qualities and we're just going to end up with another useless fudger.

TiggyW

The main reason that Reform UK did so well in the local elections is because of the elephant in the room - illegal migration! Starmer doesn’t get it. No wonder that public services are being stretched. I wonder - if I broke the law would I be given a hotel room? 🤔 I still want to know what’s wrong with France? I’d live there…

I think you're the one who doesn't appear to "get it". I know very well that so-called illegal immigration was one of the main reasons behind Brexit and the rise of Reform BUT this so-called illegal immigration is a tiny percentage of overall immigration. It's not the main reason that public services are being stretched - it's the scapegoat, but racists choose to believe the reason they're being fobbed off with. It's curious that you would choose to live in France, which has more immigrants than the UK.

TiggyW

The main reason that Reform UK did so well in the local elections is because of the elephant in the room - illegal migration! Starmer doesn’t get it. No wonder that public services are being stretched. I wonder - if I broke the law would I be given a hotel room? 🤔 I still want to know what’s wrong with France? I’d live there…

Well Reform did well mainly in the areas that voted for Brexit. But Brexit didn’t reduce illegal immigration did it? Quite the opposite.

The main reason that Reform UK did so well in the local elections is because of the elephant in the room - illegal migration! Starmer doesn’t get it. No wonder that public services are being stretched. I wonder - if I broke the law would I be given a hotel room? 🤔 I still want to know what’s wrong with France? I’d live there…

MartavTaurus

MayBee70

So who will be chancellor?

I vote MaizieD, but she'd have to do a U-turn on her derogatory comments about London!

😂😂😂

MayBee70

So who will be chancellor?

I vote MaizieD, but she'd have to do a U-turn on her derogatory comments about London!

So who will be chancellor?

Yes, it's definitely in the wind.

Well Starmer has Rachel from accounts thank. If Starmer loses the leadership fight, let's hope the next PM will get rid of Reeves as number 1 priority.

Galaxy

I went to a lot of CLP meetings, if world peace were dependent on those, we would be absolutely snookered, the branch meetings were more peaceful.

It's interesting how the current situation has sharpened ordinary LP members interest in high level politics. A lot of us feel it's about time.

An interesting unresolved discussion was about, of course, concerns about how much longer people in our country can all aspire to the standards of living many currently do.

The level of consumer consumption, bigger, newer, ideal is better and indeed necessary - who and how do we finance growth - borrow v don't borrow - at the same time many in the UK population don't want to actually pay taxes for more social housing and an adequate NHS and social Care..

MayBee70

If Burnham wanted to put the work in why didn’t he remain as an MP? Or did he not want to be an MP just the party leader?

He left parliament, not under a cloud, because he wanted to contest for the new mayor of Manchester role. He had stood against Corbyn as party leader, and lost. He must have preferred being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a big one I presume. There is nothing wrong with that, I just don’t like his behaviour since deciding he wanted to try again for the big job.