Reading
I finally got around to reading Anthony Johnstone's "The Organised Writer", which is a no-nonsense "do it like this" guide for writers. As is often the case, one part of my brain says "Pah! This is obvious." Another part immediately responds, "so why don't you do it, then?"
I've now started "Meditation for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman, where the tag line is "Stop Trying to sort your life out. Start living." I loved "Four Thousand Weeks", Burkeman's previous book, so I'm looking forward to this one.
Travel
I won't bore you again, but I got to Birmingham, and got back with no major incident. I spent some lovely days in Andover with my Mum and successfully got myself (and a load of notebooks) back to Cyprus. Sitting on aeroplane full of people quivering with excitement to be visiting the place where I'm lucky enough to live did fill me with gratitude. It's a hard life somewhere. I'm glad it's not here.
Immigration
What? Whoa! Don't go there, Stu. There be dragons.
I'm a migrant. My Mum and Dad were migrants. My paternal grandparents were migrants. Being white and reasonably well-off, I have more often been called expat than immigrant. I'd say there are many meanings and inferences contained in modern usage of the word "immigrant".
Certainly, immigration is a hot topic in politics in the US, Europe and elsewhere. The prevailing argument seems to be "We're full. you can't come in." Each country has limited resources, and if any of those resources are handed to incomers, then there are fewer for those already here. It makes perfect sense.
What's the counter?
Our economic system depends on a vibrant growing economy. That economy needs a flexible motivated workforce. For many reasons, the UK (and EU and US), struggle to provide that workforce without immigration.
Many business sectors, hospitality, agriculture, health and care to name a few, rely on immigrants. Without them, companies struggle, go under or get more expensive.
People tell me that illegal immigrants arrive in the UK and are given shelter, food and money from the public purse. They are. Assuming that they claim asylum. While their claim is considered, they get somewhere to live and £50 a week (give or take).
If they are accepted as refugees then they are granted leave to remain - and can therefore work, or claim benefits. If they are not, then they must leave. Either voluntarily, or by way of forcible removal. I'm sure there are huge inefficiencies which could be improved, there always are - but unless we change the way that our economies work, then we need a good flow of migrants to staff our hospitals, care homes, farms, bars and restaurants.
I worked in the remittance business. Companies like Western Union and Moneygram specialised in providing a simple means for migrants to send money home. Migrants all sought work. Often more than one job. They wanted to earn money, not because they wanted a new phone (though there's nothing wrong with that), but because they wanted their family to eat.
I don't suggest that we, as a society don't have issues with migration. How communities live together, how they integrate. Nor do I pretend that some people don't try to game the systems.
However, I reject the narrative that all society's ills stem from migration. They don't.
The term global village is old and hackneyed, but it's true. Technology means that Kenya has state of the art banking through mobile phones. The internet has given everyone a window on the world and the internet is nothing if not a cheerleader for the worship and pursuit of wealth and lifestyle. What inspires a teenager in the Midwest of America, will inspire a teenager in Africa too.
We need to get better at managing the world's population. Serious work needs to be done on the distribution of wealth and people. But the answer is not to build walls and try to shore up porous borders. That can only lead to conflict and war.
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