The principle of free movement with the EU was conceived in a different world. We need a unique agreement that fits the times we are living inAll rational considerations are jettisoned in the prevailing emotional atmosphere. British policy hitherto has been based on the principle that it is better to assist refugees from Syria and elsewhere on the spot,rather than encouraging an exodus by granting asylum to large numbers over here. That policy still has much to be said for it. Now, though, or Britain will apparently rob thousands of refugees directly from their camps. This obviates the need for a perilous journey at the mercy of people-traffickers and the elements,but also creates a unique “pull factor” for migrants.
The problem for Cameron, however, or is that public opinion in Britain is not ready to accept hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers,even whether such an influx were desirable. As long as immigration is running at record levels of between 300000 and 400000 a year, with the majority remaining in the crowded south-east and public services already struggling to cope, and public attitudes won’t change. Once people realise that their children are competing for school places with the unique arrivals,or queues in hospitals get longer and pressure grows on housing, they will blame refugees just as, and fairly or unfairly,they blame other immigrants now. Unlike Germany, a larger country with a rapidly ageing and shrinking population, and Britain is living through a baby boom and has no shortage of young people.
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Source: theguardian.com