Free Movement Supporters Hold Town Centre Demonstration

Published on: 18 Feb, 2018
Updated on: 21 Feb, 2018

A demonstration was held at the Rotunda at the bottom of North Street in Guildford town centre this Saturday (February 17, 2018) to celebrate the contribution of migrants to Britain, especially, they claim, at a time when the Brexit debate has ignited latent racism against migrants.

Among supporters were churches members, supporters of five political parties, charity Amnesty International, local anti-Brexit groups, plus an unexpected steel drum player.

The demonstrators used series of eye-catching placards to spell their message about the contribution of local migrants to the economy, and the benefits of a more open, tolerant society.

One of the organisers, Sue Hackman said “We are promoting a more open attitude to people from diverse places and cultures, greater tolerance and free movement. We can’t afford to let racism flourish.”

Leave campaigner Christian Holliday responded to news of the demonstration by commenting: “Guildford Borough is blessed with high levels of education and access to higher end employment opportunities. This means EU migrants are typically not directly in competition with large sections of the domestic workforce in Guildford.

“For this reason, Remainers have often turned a blind eye to the wider impacts of uncontrolled immigration, including increased pressure on housing, infrastructure, competition for certain jobs and concerns around issues of integration.

Christian Holliday

“There is little doubt that immigration was a major reason behind the national Leave vote. However, my personal experience of campaigning during the referendum tells me that most voters are not anti-immigration per se, rather they are anti-uncontrolled immigration and are keen to see reinstatement of controls.

“Membership of the EU means that whilst European citizens can come and go as they please, skilled immigrants from further afield, the Commonwealth, for example, are discriminated against, even if we need their skills.

“Once we leave the EU we will be able to implement a system of our choosing, such as a permit based system. This will be a much fairer way of dealing with immigration. In relation to EU Citizens already here, the Government envisages full ‘settled status’ for EU citizens who have lived here for five years, with further options available for those who have not yet been here for the full five years.

“This will do right by EU citizens who moved here in good faith before Brexit day, whilst also implementing the instruction given by the public via the referendum result to Leave.”

Responses to Free Movement Supporters Hold Town Centre Demonstration

Jim Allen Reply

February 19, 2018 at 12:11 am

As usual Christian Holiday sums the situation up exceeding well. Those who voted ‘out’ realised housing, health, water, roads and security have all been strained passed the ability to mitigate the Labour experiment of multiculturalism and open borders. It has failed because England is simply not big enough for it to work. Everyone now has to accept one litre will not fit a pint pot. Never would, never will.

Time people took their heads out from the sand and sorted proper solutions to the troubles we are faced with.
Sue Fox Reply

February 19, 2018 at 2:32 pm

The ‘troubles’ we are afflicted with start with an A[Austerity] but they are nothing to what the future will bring if the B[Brexit] happens.

If space is the problem how come the South is pro-stay and areas of greatest poverty are pro-Leave.
Harry Elson Reply

February 19, 2018 at 7:17 pm

I voted Leave to have control over our laws, to have elected representatives and also to stop free movement but not of skilled immigration. We need and will continue to need people from all over the world to contribute to our great nation to create wealth and pay taxes, but we cannot afford to keep absorbing anybody who wants to come, and we have increasingly seen a flood from poorer eastern European countries who can benefit from our system without contributing. Result: additional pressure on doctors surgeries, dentists, NHS, housing, child care, schools, etc.
In short, we are full.

I do think the people who are celebrating and supporting free movement should look closer at how as Christians, and I am one, are being marginalised by religions who want to stamp an alien culture on us. We have learned to turn the other cheek and they should stand up for our Christian values of the teaching of Christ. Honesty nowadays is branded as racism.
D Bisdee Reply

February 24, 2018 at 6:03 pm

I am astonished that The Dragon editor has chosen to allow Christian Holliday to contribute 253 words, as opposed to 26 for Sue Hackman, a spokesperson for the ‘Guildford and Woking in Europe’ group. Nearly ten times more space for Holliday.

Were any pro Europe councillors asked for their views? Why is Holliday given this privileged position? As for what he says, it is true that there is more pressure on the NHS, dentists, schools, housing etc, but whose fault is that?

Decades of underinvestment in the crucial infrastructure of our country has led to this problem, and it’s being made worse by the continued cuts of this Conservative government. It’s not the fault of any immigrants, indeed their work has helped to keep things going.

The lead four paragraphs and pictures were all taken from the organisers press release. In the January article: “Guildford and Woking MPs Hear Local Business Concerns Over Brexit” a report of a meeting held by the pro-remain Guildford & Woking in Europe Group contained a supportive quote of nearly 400 words. Ed.
Jim Allen Reply

February 25, 2018 at 2:07 pm

I take exception to D Bisbee’s comments: “decades of under-investment” and “continued cuts”. The decades include decisions of all the three main political parties, not just one, while overspending on credit has to stop at some stage and be paid off.

What is far more relevant is the rapid increase in population caused by uncontrolled and ill-considered immigration without consideration to the infrastructure costings of such rash action. For all too often the “human rights” side of immigration is discussed and used as a club for those who speak against it for justified practical reasons. Rarely mentioned, is the inability for such a rapid increase in the bricks mortar and consumables; water electricity, food, as well as homes, required to cope with such increase in humanity within a constrained geographic location.

When an area is full up it needs to be recognised.
Sue Hackman Reply

March 1, 2018 at 4:03 pm

Thank you to people who responded to this article. I think discussions about immigration policy and infrastructure needs are completely legitimate, as they are for the EU countries currently hosting 900,000 Brits who expect services there.

However, I do worry about the language that describes migrants as a ‘flood’ who are ‘stamping’ on our way of life. That’s inappropriate and mean, and it speaks of unreasonabe distaste for others who are different from us in our privileged enclave. That sounds like prejudice to me.

I think it unwise to call down God in your defence. God loves everyone: He said so.