*That* subject...

 Tom Paine is always a recommended read, but his recent post on immigration nails it.  

Politicians talk about people being in favour of immigration, or not (, or racist, or xenophobic...) but it isn't that simple.  Like many groups, immigrants are not an homogenous lump.  Some are a positive benefit to the UK and should be welcomed with open arms.  Others merit our sympathy for the treatment they ave received at home and should also be welcomed.  Some should not.  

So the politician who calls for a lenient approach to immigrants justifies that by reference to those in the first two groups.  And they are right.  Then, the politician who wants immigration to be controlled points to the latter group.  And they are right, too.  Any discussion between them is a waste of time, because they are talking at cross purposes.  

We need an intelligent, discerning, effective and efficient immigration policy of the type that politicians have conspicuously failed to give for the last 25 years or so.  It needs to encourage - and enable - immigrants to arrive via legal routes with their documentation intact as far as possible.  It needs to be understanding if they are unable to do so.  It needs to identify those who will not make a positive contribution to the UK and deny them entry.  It needs to find those who, having arrived, are making a negative contribution and politely escort them home.  

Then, the policy might generate a little respect and understanding.  Oddly, sending selected foreigners home might actually reduce outbreaks of racism...