4 February 2013

The UK Government wants to put off Bulgarians and Romanians coming to Britain. By Lucile Lestang



“Please do not come to Britain because it rains all the time, there are few jobs and the pay is bad” is the basic thrust of David Cameron’s proposed negative campaign to dissuade Romanians and Bulgarians emigrating in droves to the UK.

What is the reason for such an anti-patriotic campaign? Well, the fact is that in January 2014, seven years after becoming European Union citizens, Romanians and Bulgarians won’t be under emigration restrictions anymore. Several British politicians are therefore afraid about a possible massive wave of immigrants from these countries because the unemployment rate in the UK is increasing. Is Cameron shooting himself in the foot, after the UK spent billions trying to improve the country’s image abroad? Is this an after-Olympic-party hangover? Is the UK going back to its xenophobic and anti-EU ways? Or is he being pragmatic and realistic; what do you do when thousands of people you do not need turn up wanting a piece of the action?

The Guardian, dismayed by the attitude of the Government, launched a spoof mudslinging-at-yourself campaign; it asked its readers to send in mock posters for the erstwhile campaign. The response has been enthusiastic and shows up rather well the cynicism of the UK Government. It also reveals, through the usual self-deprecating British humor, the pessimism many feel about their country's future…

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