This is a forum dominated by the Brits. Their anti-everything attitude drives me crazy. It's not just anti-migrants but also anti-EU. They have their choice to leave EU in 2016/2017. I wouldn't be upset if they leave.
I can understand why Europeans would feel like that. Speaking as someone who is anti-EU, I just want to add some commentary about that.
There are, in my view, three types of Brits when it comes to the EU question.
1). The out and out little Englanders - racists who think Britain is the best country in the world and that every other nationality is inferior. These people are at best stupid and at worst far right. We don't really have much of a far right movement but there are many poorly educated (their own fault - lack of attendance, mucking around at school, etc).
I dislike these people and try to avoid them. You tend to find them in jobs such as cabbies, bus drivers and barbers. Fairly low skilled, involve interaction with the public but have a captive audience and like to share their opinions.
Sadly, there are quite a few of these.
2). People who accept that Britain is far from perfect - just like every other country on earth. They like European people and identify with people from western Europe. However, they have no real connection with or understanding those from the far eastern fringes of the continent - and why would they? Geography separates them more than those in the centre of the continent.
They come from a wide range of semi/professional backgrounds and dislike and don't trust the European Union. Their reasons vary but they feel it is an institution which has made no attempt to look at what they want from membership but does like to impose rules and regulations on them - many of which they disagree with.
They feel ignored and not part of the system. They acknowledge that the UK joined in the 1970's but that was for trade purposes, not surrender of sovereignty such as areas such as legislation and policy. They feel that the Union has moved on significantly from that they joined and they've not been consulted on this at all.
They feel it is an institution which serves as the dumping ground/gravy train for politicians we've rejected such as Kinnock.
I am from this group. I hear the likes of Prodi and Juncker making demands of our country without so much as a nod to the electorate.
We didn't elect them, we don't know them and we frankly don't like them. Not because they aren't British but because we expect to be consulted on things which affect us.
I have tried to keep an open mind on the EU over the years but over the last four or five years I've seen and heard nothing from the EU to sell its benefits to me. I've only seen and heard negative things.
I can see no reason why I would vote to remain in a union which treats me with such contempt. That said, I am NOT anti the people of western Europe, nor am I against those of Eastern Europe BUT I do not wish to see so many free to travel and settle here without our consent. I'm sorry if you dislike that but my nation shouldn't be a land of communities which do not integrate. I do not feel those who come from a very different part of the world have made the efforts *I* would and have made when in foreign nations.
I feel we've been exploited by those from less well-off countries and it is detrimental to the people who are born here. That is not right.
3). Pro-EU people. These people are usually quite well-to-do, often spend a lot of time travelling for work in Europe and do not live in and around the areas the less affluent incomers from Europe settle in here.
They don't see or hear the struggles of poorer British people who have been pushed out of the employment and housing markets. They're entirely blind to it.
This group are a minority and it is NOT right to subject the majority to a declining standard of life for their benefit.
So, in conclusion, whether you "get" what i'm saying or not - we are NOT anti everything. We are an Island nation with a national culture which is about independence and self sufficiency. Most people do not hate people from Europe but DO dislike having mass uncontrolled immigration and laws forced on them.
You are welcome to ignore me, insult my interpretation of the people and their views but you cannot be left thinking we're all coming from the same place or have the same justifications for our views.