BBC News: “UK population ‘to rise to 71.6m’”

As being reported on the BBC website, the population of the UK is expected to increase from 61m to 71.6m by 2033, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As it states, just over two-thirds of this increase is expected to be related directly or indirectly to migration to the UK.

If the projected increase materialises, the population will have grown at its fastest rate in a century: by more than 10m in the 24 years between 2008 and 2029, less than half the time it took to rise from 50m to 60m between 1948 and 2005.

Support the striking postal workers

Ever since Thatcher quenched her thirst for destroying the unions in the 1980s, industrial action – ‘striking’ – has become unpalatable for many in today’s Britain. Triumphantly shrouded in memories of militant socialism being defeated by a rampant Conservatism, it is highly unlikely that the call for industrial action by postal workers from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) yesterday will be greeted by overwhelming support from the general public. Indeed, the strikes will be little more than a throwback to the ‘dark days’ of picket lines, scabs and a much bleaker 70s Britain.

But what the general public seem unwilling to hear is the reality of what is happening in the Royal Mail. Under the guise of modernisation, brokered by Chief Executive Adam Crozier – the same Adam Crozier that was responsible for giving Sven Goran Eriksson his multi-million pound contract by the Football Association – the Royal Mail is cutting jobs and piling extra work on to its employees at a rate that is pushing them to breaking point. Because of this, the Royal Mail management are causing enormous resentment among an already disgruntled workforce. For many postal workers, the outcome has been one of more work for no extra pay.

Islamophobia Redux: the ‘first’ decade

Following on from my announcement that I’m currently putting together a historiography of contemporary Islamophobia, I’m re-posting a think-piece that I wrote in October 2007 to mark the tenth anniversary of the publication of the Runnymede Trust/ Commission on British Muslims & Islamophobia report, “Islamophobia: a challenge for us all”.

“The ‘first’ decade of Islamophobia”

October 2007 marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of the groundbreaking and possibly the most influential document of its kind, the highly influential Runnymede Trust report, Islamophobia: a challenge for us all.

Atheists: No God, just whining

I don’t normally reproduce articles in full from other sources but I came across this on the Guardian website and agreed with it entirely. Obviously it must have something to do with the author being another ‘C Allen’ (Charlotte rather than Chris). To read it in its original location, click here. If not, just read on:

Atheists: No God, just whining

Charlotte Allen, Friday 29th May 2009

I can’t stand atheists – but it’s not because they don’t believe in God. It’s because they’re crashing bores.

Immigration for a Nation of Immigrants: Speak Out magazine

(The following short post is an introductory piece that was included in the third edition of Speak Out magazine. I include it to ensure that as much of my published work is available to read from this website as possible)

With 2,000 years of immigration under its belt – albeit sometimes in the form of invasion and conquest – it is somewhat surprising that immigration remains a contentious issue for the British.