tartan bunker

British jobs for British workers – aye! To describe this rallying cry as xenophobia is to misunderstand, intentionally or otherwise, the meaning of the word defined as ‘an intense fear or dislike of foreigners.’ What’s wrong with British jobs for British workers? It’s not meant as blanket coverage, but blanket support. At the very least, it keeps Brits out of their own dole queue. At the least, it’s a common courtesy to employ your own, who’ve been born and/or brought up here, and been schooled (hopefully) in the language and ways of the country. (That’s how Italy operates I understand from a highly-qualified English acquaintance who failed to get a job there).

Those against the idea claim foreign workers are better than Brits. I find this insulting, given the people I work with, but it were the case, then someone in charge of the red tape should be out there ensuring that our lot is up to scratch, and if there are doubts, ensuring the training system is way above scratch. I’ve been in the dole queue: it was unpleasant, humiliating, and the system supposedly helping you back into work was useless if not corrupted. I hope things have changed but . . .

When my friend, Graham Greene’s grandson, visited these shores from Switzerland he was appalled, scorning the many foreigners, with uneasy English, who attempted to show him round many of our national treasures. It just wouldn’t be allowed to happen in Switzerland, he said.

There’s more on a lighter, and darker, note in Green Fire, the second in the Chronicles of Dekaydence, due out in summer, 2009. Visit: www.dekaydence.com