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rfmcdonaldThe Age reports on the enthusiasm of London mayor Boris Johnson for a proposal to let Australians, and people from elsewhere in the old British-settled former colonies, easier access to the United Kingdom.
While the idea of allowing Australians and others from the old dominions access the labour markets of the United Kingdom appeals to me, I would be rather more enthusiastic about the idea if it was not supposed to substitute for European Union immigration, never mind immigration from--let's call it--the non-dominion Commonwealth. I blogged two years ago at Demography Matters about how xenophobia would stymy most Euroskeptic British plans for integration with other countries, and I am not much reassured.
While the idea of allowing Australians and others from the old dominions access the labour markets of the United Kingdom appeals to me, I would be rather more enthusiastic about the idea if it was not supposed to substitute for European Union immigration, never mind immigration from--let's call it--the non-dominion Commonwealth. I blogged two years ago at Demography Matters about how xenophobia would stymy most Euroskeptic British plans for integration with other countries, and I am not much reassured.
Australians would find it easier and cheaper to live and work in Britain under proposals in a new report backed by London mayor Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson said he hoped the scheme would reverse the dramatic drop in Australian migration to Britain – from 40,000 in 1999 to 26,000 in 2011.
[. . .]
He - and the report - propose a "bilateral mobility zone" agreement between Australia and Britain, modelled on the trans-Tasman agreement between Australia and New Zealand.
Any Australian or New Zealander who wanted to travel to, live and work in Britain would get a free visa – although they would not get immediate access to welfare support.
The same would apply for British citizens who wanted to work in Australia.
"Extra Brits would never be seen as alien," the report predicted.
"Nor would Aussies or Kiwis in Britain. The issue may come down to political climates and the resulting political will.
"It would certainly allow a greater flourishing of our common unity.
"The UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand share the same head of state, the same language and the same common-law legal system. Critically, they are all highly economically developed democracies and there is also a distinct common culture and familial bond between them.
