Many people are confused about the offer by a Johnson to grant 3 milllion Hong Kongers (& thus potentially millions more in extended family visas) british citizenship.
Why would a Brexiter do this when much of the last 5 years has been about immigration?
ft.com/content/0b13f1…
Why would a Brexiter do this when much of the last 5 years has been about immigration?
ft.com/content/0b13f1…
2/
The reason lies in empire. British empire like many others developed “favoured minorities”. Hong Kongers were an “example minority”. There is thus an underlying belief that HKers will be a net benefit to the UK.
The curious thing tho is that EUers are a net benefit to UK.
The reason lies in empire. British empire like many others developed “favoured minorities”. Hong Kongers were an “example minority”. There is thus an underlying belief that HKers will be a net benefit to the UK.
The curious thing tho is that EUers are a net benefit to UK.
3/
So, why stop EUers coming to UK when they are a net benefit to UK out of fears of being overwhelmed if one replaces them with HKers?
The answer is HKers are perceived as “pro British empire” while letting in EUers confirms UK status as a “mere” equal european country.
So, why stop EUers coming to UK when they are a net benefit to UK out of fears of being overwhelmed if one replaces them with HKers?
The answer is HKers are perceived as “pro British empire” while letting in EUers confirms UK status as a “mere” equal european country.
4/
Much of this operates subconsciously - but still very real.
Enjoying the same rights as a Greek seems to confirm you’re equal to a Greek. But allowing HKers in suggests a people with an identity built in Empire would also identify with the exceptionalism of British empire.
Much of this operates subconsciously - but still very real.
Enjoying the same rights as a Greek seems to confirm you’re equal to a Greek. But allowing HKers in suggests a people with an identity built in Empire would also identify with the exceptionalism of British empire.
5/
This isn’t to say letting in HKers is wrong but I suspect many leavers when confronted with the reality of a situation of HKers as actual people with their own thoughts/agency rather than some British idea of “empire true” subjects may find the reality somewhat unexpected.
This isn’t to say letting in HKers is wrong but I suspect many leavers when confronted with the reality of a situation of HKers as actual people with their own thoughts/agency rather than some British idea of “empire true” subjects may find the reality somewhat unexpected.
6/
I’ve been to HK. Like the place & people. The open secret is rich HKers could always get to UK. In unlikely event 3 million did come they’d undoubtedly enrich UK tho I do wonder what the sort of person who finds 3% polish city population unbearable would make of the reality.
I’ve been to HK. Like the place & people. The open secret is rich HKers could always get to UK. In unlikely event 3 million did come they’d undoubtedly enrich UK tho I do wonder what the sort of person who finds 3% polish city population unbearable would make of the reality.
