The dust has settled and I have been able to sort through my thoughts on this year’s Tory Party conference. I was amazed by the powers-that-be’s inability to anticipate the reactions to Home Secretary’s announcement that the government would implement a new policy of requiring employers in the UK to disclose the names and numbers of their foreign workers. This was but a stepping stone to the government using that information to name and shame those companies who did not “hire British”.
As a public service, The Origin of the Specious takes a look at the good news and bad news that emanated from this one item of news.
Bad news: Ms Rudd was criticised media-wide for announcing a government policy that was considered xenophobic, if not racist.
Good news: The Home Secretary denied that she was racist and wished to have an open dialogue about immigration policy, ultimately arriving at an immigration policy that was similar to those in America, Canada and Australia and that emphasised the working needs of the country.
Bad news: The announcement appeared to encompass all foreigners without a proper definition of terms and resulting in criticism as xenophobia. Did the policy include or affect immigrants who had entered the country legally in the past? Individuals who are foreign born, regardless of current status (either permanent resident or naturalised citizen)? People who were born in other countries to British parents either in government service or not? Is this a policy looking backwards, trying to close the door after the horses have bolted albeit directionally vice versa?
Bad news: English National Ballet artistic director Tamara Rojo, an immigrant, was reported to be wondering when the UK government would be forcing her to sew a star on her clothing.
Good news: Pushing Ms Rojo’s comment to the extreme, there could potentially be some hope for the long-suffering passengers of Southern Railway. After all, Mussolini got the trains running on time.
Good news: The government has seemingly abandoned its proposed policy.
Bad news: What comes next?