Poles in UK join the migration debate

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/22/poles-in-uk-join-migration-debate

Version 0 of 1.

I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for your decision to call the elephant in the room by naming migrants as the key factor in Britain’s economic recovery on your front page (298,000: This is the number fuelling UK growth, 20 March). Less than 50 days before election day, it is of paramount importance we approach migration constructively. It is a complex, multi-dimensional issue and we need to make sure we are able to both celebrate the successes and discuss the problems together. Migrant communities want to be active in the debate about the future of this country, contributing with our experiences, ideas, hopes and goodwill. We want to face potential difficulties with you and shape solutions that can be of benefit to all. Because, at the end of the day, we are like you, even if we speak a different language.

To represent a unified Polish voice in this discussion, major Polish organisations in the UK have created a campaign called #PolesinUK. In the following weeks, as a part of this campaign, we will be pitching to the media a number of stories about positive contributions of the Polish migrants’ community to British society and the economy. We will be showing you what Polish organisations do in the UK: how they work with local institutions, charities and communities, dedicating their time and efforts to make a positive impact. Not for the sake of one group – but for all. We will also be highlighting the stories of Polish entrepreneurs and professionals who offer their skills and initiative to help Britain grow. Reclaiming the M word – migrants – is a good start for a sensible debate.Jakub Krupa#PolesinUK, London

• While it is of course commendable to counter prejudice, it cannot work if we ignore basic questions about migrant labour allegedly boosting the economy. It is not obvious to most people how a particular group of 298,000 can “fuel growth” any more than any other set of 298,000 workers. And in a country that has more than six times that number unemployed – with official unemployment figures systematically massaged by draconian benefit sanctions and increased casualisation – and austerity cuts in health and other training, people are bound to wonder how the taxes are “extra”. As the poor continue to get poorer, and the rich richer, people will inevitably suspect that employers are up to something. Peter McKennaLiverpool

• Jack Monroe has moved her political allegiance to the Green party not for their position on environmental degradation and climate change but because of its policy on immigration. Hence she highlights an essential problem with the Green party, which instead of championing green and environmental issues focuses on a more socialist/trendy lefty agenda. Building 500,000 new homes is the opposite of carbon capture; it means more infrastructure and yet more roads and cars. More migrants means yet more infrastructure and consumption of the planet’s resources and degradation of the environment. Whatever happened to the Green’s zero-growth economic policies?Neil SinclairEdinburgh