I agree with you that immigration should not be left totally uncontrolled so I agree with all the checks currently taking place at our borders before people are allowed into the country. I also think there is too much bureaucracy and waste in EU institutions - but given the mess that is the NHS I am not holding my breath that the Brits would be less wasteful and beureaucratic if they came out of the EU.
I think previous governments cocked up in their estimate of how many EU nationals would come over from the A8 countries and settle here and have kids, thereby putting pressure on schools and the health service, but it's done now and leaving the EU isn't going to change the fact that the UK needs young people who are motivated to work hard do the low level or less skilled jobs that Brits don't want to do, because there are no jobs in the A8 countries with an equivalent pay. It frees up Brits to specialise in other higher skilled areas.
And what is so great about these recent migrants is they are better educated than many of the Brits who apply for jobs - I've hired Polish receptionists with degrees from Poland - their English is not as good as local people obviously but their productivity and self-motivation are great. And it's good for business to show diversity in our hiring policy, as we appeal to a wider range of customers.
Also when I speak to parents from the A8 countries they are surprised how little their kids are tested in schools in Britain compared to the weekly school tests back home.
My view is that free movement of labour and goods that comes from being part of the EU is helping our economy. Previously young Brits went to work in Europe in the countries whose economies were doing better than us, and EU nationals who came here helped boost our economy and supplied us with new skills and technology.
I support letting in non-EU nationals as well - as I said there is a skills shortage particularly in the IT and science sectors.
Foreigners living in crowded conditions brings house prices down in the area they move into, which I think is a good thing. I say this as a London homeowner who wants their kids to be able to afford to buy their own homes. Cultural changes - I'm not that bothered about - I think we'll figure it out so long as we become a little more tolerant and don't all become too PC. Migration to better living conditions and better jobs is what humans do, so I'm sure we've learnt the skills to adapt to it over the thousands of years it's been going on - IMO migrants should be forced to learn the language and there should be a policy that schools cannot have more than 40% of any one ethnic group. If that means kids have to travel further to get to school - tough, they're not made of glass, they won't break - it will be character-building and good for integration.
I think our government should invest in affordable housing and more school places rather than come out of the EU - that is what will be most beneficial to Britain.
