The entire country seems to be getting into a tizzy over the wave of Bulgarian and romanan immigrants we can expect in the coming months. Farage et al are, of course, whipping up xenophobic fears, forgetting the fact that much of our economy is based on so-called foreigners coming here,, working hard and building up businesses. Farage claims that immigration puts some kind of pressure upon society, causing tension. Putting aside his other dubious claims, I find this claim the most objectionable. He is effectively claiming that migrants themselves cause xenophobia, that xenophobes themselves aren’t to blame for their hatred, and that people have a right to resent migrants. I might not have explained that very well, but the social tensions ffarage alludes to is surely the animosity some people feel towards migrants, for which farage blames the migrants themselves. In effect he is dressing xenophobia up as something legitimate; I find that disgusting and hope others see it. I hope too that others are as proud to live in such a vibrant, diverse society as I am.

Anyway, happy new year!