The concept of ‘refuge’ and ‘gratitude’ combined with an attempt to integrate, should not be so difficult to grasp….

It is a subject that’s right at the core of societal problems we all face today.

There’s nothing new about people seeking refuge. Millions moved around during and after both World Wars for instance.

When a country takes people in – for whatever reason – the least those people should do, is make a genuine effort to show gratitude by being model citizens; learn the culture of their host country, fit in, be of no trouble and get on with life.

Nobody is asking for unending gratitude. And yes, there are a number of challenges – including some intolerance, which is not to be dismissed, as it can be horrific in instances – faced by migrants, but whichever way you look at it, they fled to escape supposedly much worse scenarios. Yes, it is easier for people to blend in and integrate, if they are not easily identifiable as being different from the majority, but the reality today, is that there’s now very little attempts at integration. People come into the UK and huddle together, create their own mini-societies where they try to recreate their past ways of living and largely ignore the norms of the land.

I am not sure who’s to blame for this or how it can be fixed, but it really is, a major issue, as it is set to become a generational challenge.

It is very worrying.

People should not come in to the UK for the safety it provides, while making absolutely no attempt to embrace the British way of life. This is not about asking people to ditch their culture. Brits who move abroad tend to hold on to the British way of life where they go, same for others; hence the ‘China towns’, ‘Little Italy’, ‘British Vancouver’ etc. But all in keeping with the way of life in those countries. But it is a complex concept. Some feel that perhaps a bit of patience and tolerance is needed. Perhaps we are asking for rapid integration that’s never been achieved before? The Irish migrated heavily and lived in huddles, open Irish Pubs etc, Italians, Chinese and others did/do the same. Are we setting different standards for today’s migrants?

I don’t have the answers

What’s unarguable though, is the fact that we have to find answers as a society and perhaps try to avoid hysteria. In the UK, if we can fix the economy, sort poverty and fix our services and infrastructure, we shouldn’t see protests on the street and such anger, at 40,000 migrants rowing in across the channel (not to be condoned of course); we should have the ability to process them promptly, remove the bogus ones and work with France to find a solution that puts a firm and final end to the crossings so that anyone wishing to seek refuge here, can apply and following due process, not badge in via the channel. But as I keep saying, a country of 70million, should not be this impacted by an influx of 40,000 a year (that’ll take 10 years to reach 400,000). We should quietly and efficiently, process them and move on. It shouldn’t become such a distraction nor take over public discourse as it has.

What we shouldn’t have, is people coming into the UK, then tweeting on social media disparaging the UK. That, is quite disrespectful!