The current migrant crisis at our shores must remind us of the famous speech by Enoch Powell on 20 April 1968. In his speech he had criticised Commonwealth immigration that had been proposed in the United Kingdom when the exodus of Kenyan Asians began and many Asians started arriving in the UK after being expelled by the newly independent African states. He had then said “in this country in15 or 20 years' time the black man will have the whip hand over the white man.”
The prophecy now seems to be coming true with migrants from African and Mediterranean countries are entering illegally the UK in their droves. These hordes of illegal migrants are desperate people who have nothing to lose and come in overcrowded boats, many of which sink in the sea and the people have to be rescued and given shelter. Once here, they have to be given means to survive and are given £35 per week.
It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 illegal immigrants living in London alone! Last week, an amnesty for these illegal immigrants living “in the shadows” in London was proposed by one MP who said it was time to bring them into mainstream society so they could pay taxes and enjoy more secure lives. However, one wonders how safe would we be walking in the streets of London once these desperte people were allowed to remain here. Who would want them for their neighbours?
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
