Hi LauraKt,
What Jonniboy has said, recently, re. the potential difficulties of getting into the U.K. as a visitor, is correct - I'm English and can vouch for the fact that our Immigration people are rude, hostile and totally suspicious at airports - as viewed on T.V. news and several BBC documentary programmes, concerning attitudes towards foreign visitors!
This is due, partly, to the current right - wing, media- hyped belief, predominating in my country, that citizens from Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe are all intent on coming to the U.K. (unless they've already arrived!), for free health care, housing, education and jobs - oh, and to preach fundamentalism to our young people, naturally!
Terrifyingly, this erroneous belief has resulted in many serious racial attacks, borne out of appalling ignorance as to the true numbers involed, on the part of a vociferous though ill educated sector of our population!
In Plymouth U.K. my current city, a group of Kurdish refugees was beaten up by a gang of teenagers, for being 'on the side of Saddam Hussein'!!! (Both Royal Marines and Naval ships have been deployed from their bases here, to fight in the Iraqi 'War').
In my county of Devon, a group of E.U. language students was attacked, recently, whilst visiting a popular seasise resort town - their teacher was also punched in the mouth - because they were 'foreigners!'.
Our 'brave' politicians have, shamefully, chosen to defer to the bigots and to treat many genuine refugees and asylum seekers, even torture victims, abysmally - refusing them any financial help, in many cases and even locking whole families up, in dreadful 'detention centres' whilst their cases are examined -paonfully slowly!
Votes are much more important then the lives of such people, obviously!
Of course, our Immigration personel very often reflect this prejudiced perspective, under pressure from our Govt. which is desperate to try to keep numbers of potential asylum seekers and refugees down, in deference to the tiny minds of their loudest critics, (no idea why, as they would never vote for Tony Blair and his 'Labour' Party, anyway! ).
Don't expect a warm British welcome, then, should you decide to stop off in my country for a short break - all visitors are now suspect - especially any who've clearly flouted their visa requirements, albeit in another E.U. state!!
I apologise to any innocent 'foreign' citizen who's suffered at the hands of our Immigration Officials, on arrival into the U.K! All I can say is 'Never in my name!'
Regards,
Zorrasabia.
