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On Shirley Road, can the history of welcoming migrants be lost to Ukip? On Shirley Road, can the history of welcoming migrants be lost to Ukip?
(7 months later)
Wesley Andrews is working his way through a hefty fry-up at the Retro Diner, a no-nonsense cafe on the Shirley Road in Southampton decorated with union flags, portraits of British bulldogs and images of scooter-riding mods.Wesley Andrews is working his way through a hefty fry-up at the Retro Diner, a no-nonsense cafe on the Shirley Road in Southampton decorated with union flags, portraits of British bulldogs and images of scooter-riding mods.
His sausage, bacon and eggs go cold as he launches into an attack on the system that he says has turned this street into  one of the most ethnically diverse in the  UK.His sausage, bacon and eggs go cold as he launches into an attack on the system that he says has turned this street into  one of the most ethnically diverse in the  UK.
"It's like you're not in Britain," he says. "You can walk up and down this road and not hear anyone speak English. That makes me angry. I know people who've come here, don't work, don't pay taxes but get a big house on the state. I've spoken to people who tell me they're here for the free money.""It's like you're not in Britain," he says. "You can walk up and down this road and not hear anyone speak English. That makes me angry. I know people who've come here, don't work, don't pay taxes but get a big house on the state. I've spoken to people who tell me they're here for the free money."
Andrews and his fellow diners reel off the nicknames for Shirley – Little Poland, Polska, Beirut (the latter not because of the number of Lebanese people here but because it gets a bit rowdy at night).Andrews and his fellow diners reel off the nicknames for Shirley – Little Poland, Polska, Beirut (the latter not because of the number of Lebanese people here but because it gets a bit rowdy at night).
"And from next year there'll be thousands more here from Romania and Bulgaria. We have poverty in this country and it's getting worse. We're called Great Britain but I don't know what's great about it any more. The government has got to do something about it.""And from next year there'll be thousands more here from Romania and Bulgaria. We have poverty in this country and it's getting worse. We're called Great Britain but I don't know what's great about it any more. The government has got to do something about it."
Andrews may be the sort of person politicians of left and right are worrying about as they compete to talk tough on immigration in the wake of Ukip's shock second place in neighbouring Eastleigh's byelection last week.Andrews may be the sort of person politicians of left and right are worrying about as they compete to talk tough on immigration in the wake of Ukip's shock second place in neighbouring Eastleigh's byelection last week.
The rise of Ukip triggered a flurry of anti-Europe stories from the Tory benches and now a series of announcements from Labour this week, culminating in a speech on Thursday by Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, in which she will raise the idea – being discussed in the coalition – of reforming access for new migrants to welfare benefits.The rise of Ukip triggered a flurry of anti-Europe stories from the Tory benches and now a series of announcements from Labour this week, culminating in a speech on Thursday by Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, in which she will raise the idea – being discussed in the coalition – of reforming access for new migrants to welfare benefits.
A 28-year-old support worker who cares for people with disabilities, Andrews is from a white Labour-voting family. He is well-educated and well-read. As he speaks, his fellow diners at the Retro nod and grimace. They do not consider him an extremist and he insists he is not a racist: "I've got Polish friends and I look after Asian people at work but it's gone too far. There will be civil unrest, war on the streets."A 28-year-old support worker who cares for people with disabilities, Andrews is from a white Labour-voting family. He is well-educated and well-read. As he speaks, his fellow diners at the Retro nod and grimace. They do not consider him an extremist and he insists he is not a racist: "I've got Polish friends and I look after Asian people at work but it's gone too far. There will be civil unrest, war on the streets."
Across the road, James Morris, 74, an an antiques dealer, flies the union flag from his Old Curiosity Shop. He was born around the corner and has seen the street change beyond recognition.Across the road, James Morris, 74, an an antiques dealer, flies the union flag from his Old Curiosity Shop. He was born around the corner and has seen the street change beyond recognition.
"The whole nature of the place is different. I've worked like a donkey since I was 14 but the immigrants are allowed to come in and get all their bills paid for them," he says. "I don't agree with this idea that Polish people come and do jobs British people won't. I think that's propaganda. A jobless British person would take anything going.""The whole nature of the place is different. I've worked like a donkey since I was 14 but the immigrants are allowed to come in and get all their bills paid for them," he says. "I don't agree with this idea that Polish people come and do jobs British people won't. I think that's propaganda. A jobless British person would take anything going."
Morris, like many here, has always voted Labour (the party has held Southampton Test since 1997). "But I'm going to take a close look at what Ukip are saying. I'll be listening to those boys carefully before the next general election."Morris, like many here, has always voted Labour (the party has held Southampton Test since 1997). "But I'm going to take a close look at what Ukip are saying. I'll be listening to those boys carefully before the next general election."
Southampton boasts a long and proud history of immigration over the past 500 years from the Huguenots in the 17th century to the West Indians and Asians in the 20th century. Shirley Road and the High Street are packed with restaurants, shops and supermarkets reflecting that diversity.Southampton boasts a long and proud history of immigration over the past 500 years from the Huguenots in the 17th century to the West Indians and Asians in the 20th century. Shirley Road and the High Street are packed with restaurants, shops and supermarkets reflecting that diversity.
Following the enlargement of the EU in 2004, people from eastern Europe, mainly Poland, arrived. The eastern European delicatessens opened, adding to the cultural mix on the Shirley Road.Following the enlargement of the EU in 2004, people from eastern Europe, mainly Poland, arrived. The eastern European delicatessens opened, adding to the cultural mix on the Shirley Road.
According to the 2001 census, 89% of the population in the city were "white British". This had fallen to 78% by the time of the 2011 census. The "other white" population had increased by more than 200% to more than 17,000. Today, about a fifth of the city's 237,000-strong population was born outside the UK.According to the 2001 census, 89% of the population in the city were "white British". This had fallen to 78% by the time of the 2011 census. The "other white" population had increased by more than 200% to more than 17,000. Today, about a fifth of the city's 237,000-strong population was born outside the UK.
Naturally, not all residents are as strident as Andrews and Morris. Neil Walker, the owner of Retro, is quick to explain that he was not trying to make a political statement by opening a very British-looking cafe: "It was a business decision. I thought there was a gap in the market for good old staples. Actually I think the Poles and all the other races here have brought good to this area. They've made it more vibrant."Naturally, not all residents are as strident as Andrews and Morris. Neil Walker, the owner of Retro, is quick to explain that he was not trying to make a political statement by opening a very British-looking cafe: "It was a business decision. I thought there was a gap in the market for good old staples. Actually I think the Poles and all the other races here have brought good to this area. They've made it more vibrant."
Quentin Thatcher, an estate agent, agrees: "For us, they've created a demand for housing locally, which has helped our business. They are hard-working, plain-speaking people – good to deal with."Quentin Thatcher, an estate agent, agrees: "For us, they've created a demand for housing locally, which has helped our business. They are hard-working, plain-speaking people – good to deal with."
But he is worried about the expected arrival of Romanian and Bulgarian workers. "This is a small island. There is pressure on housing and pressure on services," he says.But he is worried about the expected arrival of Romanian and Bulgarian workers. "This is a small island. There is pressure on housing and pressure on services," he says.
Up the road at Southampton general hospital, Sue Smith, a bank worker in her fifties, is waiting to pick up her aunt, who has just been to the eye unit. "You have to wait days to see a doctor now, weeks to get a hospital appointment," she says.Up the road at Southampton general hospital, Sue Smith, a bank worker in her fifties, is waiting to pick up her aunt, who has just been to the eye unit. "You have to wait days to see a doctor now, weeks to get a hospital appointment," she says.
But she also sees good in at least some of her new neighbours. "I've been treated by a Polish doctor and I've got an elderly friend who loves his Polish carer at a nursing home. I don't mind skilled people coming, but there needs to be a way of keeping those without any qualifications away."But she also sees good in at least some of her new neighbours. "I've been treated by a Polish doctor and I've got an elderly friend who loves his Polish carer at a nursing home. I don't mind skilled people coming, but there needs to be a way of keeping those without any qualifications away."
The academic studies on British people's reaction to immigration are complicated. According to the latest British Social Attitudes survey from the social research agency NatCen, published at the end of last year, three quarters of people favour "some reduction". This compares with 63% in 1995 and 72% in 2003. Just over half say they want a "large" reduction.The academic studies on British people's reaction to immigration are complicated. According to the latest British Social Attitudes survey from the social research agency NatCen, published at the end of last year, three quarters of people favour "some reduction". This compares with 63% in 1995 and 72% in 2003. Just over half say they want a "large" reduction.
Respondents to such surveys are not opposed across the board. Almost 60% of people say highly skilled migrants from eastern Europe are a positive but this plunges to 19% for unskilled labourers.Respondents to such surveys are not opposed across the board. Almost 60% of people say highly skilled migrants from eastern Europe are a positive but this plunges to 19% for unskilled labourers.
Anna Kopala, 34, one of the first Polish people to arrive after 1994 and the owner of a successful hair salon on Shirley Road, has no time to consider the nuances of such figures. She is too busy. "The world is different," she says. "You can go and work where you want if you have skill and dedication." For her, more people mean more work. "It means more customers for me, more opportunities."Anna Kopala, 34, one of the first Polish people to arrive after 1994 and the owner of a successful hair salon on Shirley Road, has no time to consider the nuances of such figures. She is too busy. "The world is different," she says. "You can go and work where you want if you have skill and dedication." For her, more people mean more work. "It means more customers for me, more opportunities."
Dorota Zwierzynska, 32, who is a supermarket supervisor and arrived in Hampshire via Dublin and Doncaster, is not so sure the arrival of Romanians and Bulgarians is a good thing. "You read worrying things about them. As long as they work and pay their taxes, that is fine, but I'm concerned they may not."Dorota Zwierzynska, 32, who is a supermarket supervisor and arrived in Hampshire via Dublin and Doncaster, is not so sure the arrival of Romanians and Bulgarians is a good thing. "You read worrying things about them. As long as they work and pay their taxes, that is fine, but I'm concerned they may not."
How does this play out politically? Could the Ukip surge that took place six miles up the road in Eastleigh last week happen here, too?How does this play out politically? Could the Ukip surge that took place six miles up the road in Eastleigh last week happen here, too?
The Ukip chair in Southampton Test, David Nightingale, thinks so. From a standing start with no party machine, he got a respectable 6% of the votes when he stood in Shirley in last year's city council elections.The Ukip chair in Southampton Test, David Nightingale, thinks so. From a standing start with no party machine, he got a respectable 6% of the votes when he stood in Shirley in last year's city council elections.
Nightingale spent last weekend dropping off leaflets in neighbouring Fareham where he is standing in May as part of Ukip's assault on the Hampshire county council elections. He makes the point in his leaflet that "even" the immigrants are worried about what is happening.Nightingale spent last weekend dropping off leaflets in neighbouring Fareham where he is standing in May as part of Ukip's assault on the Hampshire county council elections. He makes the point in his leaflet that "even" the immigrants are worried about what is happening.
"Immigration is draining our resources to a point where the immigrants themselves are beginning to see it must be stopped if our country is to survive," the leaflet reads."Immigration is draining our resources to a point where the immigrants themselves are beginning to see it must be stopped if our country is to survive," the leaflet reads.
Nightingale, a 61-year-old engineer, believes Ukip will continue to go from strength to strength. "Walk from one end of Shirley to the opposite on a Saturday and try and count the number of English voices you hear. You won't need a calculator. They're all very nice people; the fact remains we do not have the resources for them."Nightingale, a 61-year-old engineer, believes Ukip will continue to go from strength to strength. "Walk from one end of Shirley to the opposite on a Saturday and try and count the number of English voices you hear. You won't need a calculator. They're all very nice people; the fact remains we do not have the resources for them."
The Labour-run city council has a well worked-out line. That is no surprise – Ed Miliband's parliamentary private secretary, John Denham, the Southampton Itchen MP spent the aftermath of Eastleigh explaining that Labour had got to get over its message on immigration if it was to make progress in the south of England.The Labour-run city council has a well worked-out line. That is no surprise – Ed Miliband's parliamentary private secretary, John Denham, the Southampton Itchen MP spent the aftermath of Eastleigh explaining that Labour had got to get over its message on immigration if it was to make progress in the south of England.
Denham has long warned of the danger of employers paying immigrant workers less than the minimum wage and the strain on educational resources the arrival of so many eastern Europeans has put on the area.Denham has long warned of the danger of employers paying immigrant workers less than the minimum wage and the strain on educational resources the arrival of so many eastern Europeans has put on the area.
Richard Williams, the council leader, says its major drive is to place the English language at the centre of its immigration policy. Its new booklet setting out forthcoming benefit changes is printed in English only.Richard Williams, the council leader, says its major drive is to place the English language at the centre of its immigration policy. Its new booklet setting out forthcoming benefit changes is printed in English only.
"We made a conscious decision not to publish it in other languages. Promotion of the English language is the key to everything, to better employment, social enrichment. It's the key to the identity of the UK; it's the bedrock of our culture," he says."We made a conscious decision not to publish it in other languages. Promotion of the English language is the key to everything, to better employment, social enrichment. It's the key to the identity of the UK; it's the bedrock of our culture," he says.
What of the younger generation? Outside Richard Taunton sixth form college, a few minutes walk from Shirley Road, a group of black teenagers bounces a football. "I don't think there's a problem," says one 17-year-old. "A few years ago, it was my parents and grandparents having a tough time. Now it's the Poles who get the stick. I'm not going to say people shouldn't come here."What of the younger generation? Outside Richard Taunton sixth form college, a few minutes walk from Shirley Road, a group of black teenagers bounces a football. "I don't think there's a problem," says one 17-year-old. "A few years ago, it was my parents and grandparents having a tough time. Now it's the Poles who get the stick. I'm not going to say people shouldn't come here."
One of his friends adds: "The EU means we can all go wherever we want, doesn't it? If I can't get a job here when I leave college, I'll go abroad. The world's a big place. You don't have to stay and work where you're born."One of his friends adds: "The EU means we can all go wherever we want, doesn't it? If I can't get a job here when I leave college, I'll go abroad. The world's a big place. You don't have to stay and work where you're born."
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