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Why we Polish are downing tools to get the recognition we deserve Why we Polish are downing tools to get the recognition we deserve
(3 days later)
This Thursday, 20 August, Polish workers in London will go on a one-day strike, to protest against the lack of appreciation for their huge input into this country’s economy. We want to show that without the input and work ethic of the UK’s Polish community this country, or at least London, could grind to a halt within three hours. We are also going on strike to protest against the rise of anti-Polish rhetoric in the media over the past few years, in particular as espoused by Ukip leader Nigel Farage and the political crowd-pleasers who ape his views, among whom I count first and foremost David Cameron.This Thursday, 20 August, Polish workers in London will go on a one-day strike, to protest against the lack of appreciation for their huge input into this country’s economy. We want to show that without the input and work ethic of the UK’s Polish community this country, or at least London, could grind to a halt within three hours. We are also going on strike to protest against the rise of anti-Polish rhetoric in the media over the past few years, in particular as espoused by Ukip leader Nigel Farage and the political crowd-pleasers who ape his views, among whom I count first and foremost David Cameron.
We utterly and completely reject the charge that Poles come to this country for state benefits. This is a fiction – or at least so marginal a factor that it is not worth taking seriously. The Polish community in this country feels seriously scapegoated, and those downing their tools next week want this to stop.We utterly and completely reject the charge that Poles come to this country for state benefits. This is a fiction – or at least so marginal a factor that it is not worth taking seriously. The Polish community in this country feels seriously scapegoated, and those downing their tools next week want this to stop.
Related: Polish migrants to strike and give blood to demonstrate importance to UK
On the same day as the strike, a second group of Poles is planning a different demonstration of our commitment to this country: they are giving their blood. Thousands of Poles are preparing to donate blood to their British brothers and sisters, symbolically drawing attention to the fact that our nation has in the past shed blood and lives for the UK. During the second world war, several hundred thousand Poles fought in the British army; my own father was one of them. A significant number of RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain were Polish. Many British historians and participants of the air battles firmly believe that without Polish pilots, there would have been no victory – yet gratitude for this contribution is sadly lacking from the current debate around immigration.On the same day as the strike, a second group of Poles is planning a different demonstration of our commitment to this country: they are giving their blood. Thousands of Poles are preparing to donate blood to their British brothers and sisters, symbolically drawing attention to the fact that our nation has in the past shed blood and lives for the UK. During the second world war, several hundred thousand Poles fought in the British army; my own father was one of them. A significant number of RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain were Polish. Many British historians and participants of the air battles firmly believe that without Polish pilots, there would have been no victory – yet gratitude for this contribution is sadly lacking from the current debate around immigration.
Over the years, Poles have been the ideal newcomer community in the UK. We work hard, keep our heads down, we do not riot or get violent when upset. We integrate well, we intermarry with the locals, and we love this country. What’s not to like?Over the years, Poles have been the ideal newcomer community in the UK. We work hard, keep our heads down, we do not riot or get violent when upset. We integrate well, we intermarry with the locals, and we love this country. What’s not to like?
Over the years, Poles have been the ideal newcomer community in the UKOver the years, Poles have been the ideal newcomer community in the UK
Unfortunately, over the past few years the atmosphere has worsened. In certain sections of the UK, xenophobia rules OK. And Poles are a chief target, because so many have come here and ours is now the second most widely spoken language in Britain. Moreover, our work ethic is increasingly perceived as a threat to British workers rather than an inspiration: it’s not unheard of for Poles to turn up for work half an hour before they are due – why don’t Brits take a leaf out of our book?Unfortunately, over the past few years the atmosphere has worsened. In certain sections of the UK, xenophobia rules OK. And Poles are a chief target, because so many have come here and ours is now the second most widely spoken language in Britain. Moreover, our work ethic is increasingly perceived as a threat to British workers rather than an inspiration: it’s not unheard of for Poles to turn up for work half an hour before they are due – why don’t Brits take a leaf out of our book?
I am a Polish Londoner born and bred. I went to school and university here. I have created a successful business. My father was a famous war hero who led a victorious cavalry charge against the Germans in 1939. And yet I’ve always felt a second-class citizen in this country: an outsider, to be tolerated but not heard. I know that I am not alone in feeling like this, which is why I have decided to stand as an independent candidate for election as mayor of London on 5 May next year.I am a Polish Londoner born and bred. I went to school and university here. I have created a successful business. My father was a famous war hero who led a victorious cavalry charge against the Germans in 1939. And yet I’ve always felt a second-class citizen in this country: an outsider, to be tolerated but not heard. I know that I am not alone in feeling like this, which is why I have decided to stand as an independent candidate for election as mayor of London on 5 May next year.
The official figure for the proportion of people of foreign origin in London is 37%, and the real figure is likely to be higher, meaning that we may well make up the majority population of Britain’s capital. We work hard, pay taxes and keep our heads down. It’s time we got the recognition we are due.The official figure for the proportion of people of foreign origin in London is 37%, and the real figure is likely to be higher, meaning that we may well make up the majority population of Britain’s capital. We work hard, pay taxes and keep our heads down. It’s time we got the recognition we are due.