Polonophilia, Then And Now

"By God, what Scotland really wants is Poles!"

Neal Ascherson, February 2004.

"...the fewer Poles there are in Poland and the more of them in Britain, the better for our economy”

Michael Brown, February 2004.

"Polish immigrants living in poverty in Britain after failing to find work and accommodation are being paid to return home by a London authority worried about the numbers of homeless Eastern Europeans on its streets.

Westminster Council has funded the return of more than 265 Poles and is asking the Department for Work and Pensions for more money to help solve the crisis, described as an "unfolding tragedy" by one of its councillors. Yesterday the authority, several charities and the Barka Foundation, a non-governmental organisation from Poland, agreed to collaborate to help the thousands of immigrants estimated to be living in squalor in Britain.

A delegation from the Barka Foundation arrived in London last week with the intention of setting up an office near Victoria coach station, where most Poles arrive, which will aim to help immigrants find work and accommodation, as well as proving training, language skills, and counselling for drug and alcohol addiction."

Sally Pook, September 2006.

"We advise everyone: don't come if you don't have the financial resources, if you don't have the contacts, if you don't have a job waiting for you in the UK, if you don't know the language, if you don't have skills.

''Just don't come. It is not as easy as you think. Some of you will make it, most of you will not."

Janusz Wach, Polish Consul General in London, September 2006.

All that is missing from this scenario is Tony Blair saying that family values don't stop at the Elbe...

Poland is the Mexico of Europe.

And if you don't believe me, ask the Business Editor of 'The Daily Telegraph'.