Why are so many 30-somethings trying to leave the UK? Are we seeing arepeat of the England of the last Labour government where everyone who could, left the UK?Now comparing pre-Thatcher Britain to Tony Blair’s version might sound a bit daft at first. A mere partisan attack designed to evoke memories of the glory days of Conservative rule. In fact, it is no such thing as besides the rising taxes, you would think there is really not much in common with the late-70s UK.
Or is there? Those around during both times are feeling a kind of ‘deja-vu’. As with the late 70’s the service ethos in all aspects of life has declined. No longer is there the thrusting attitude of the 80s & early 90s. Now many, especially in the public sector, treat customers as if they are an inconvenience in their daily lives. Incompetence and dishonesty seem to be rife. One could blame it on the influx of cheap labour from Eastern Europe but that would be unfair as the local denizens seem to share the inability to provide proper service too. Crime is up and the streets are becoming more unsafe too as street crime is growing. Violent crime is on the up year on year since Labour came to power; 2004/05 saw a 7% rise according to the Home Office. As a result of things, those who can are either leaving or seriously contemplating it. Several friends of mine in the IT business are seriously looking at moving to the US to ply their trade. The prospect of the Free State Project in New Hampshire seems much more attractive than the ever increasing taxes of Blair’s Britain and their daily frustration with the increasing strangulation of the economy from both Europe and London via regulation and taxation. And then we come to living and working in London. Apart from the high cost of buying in Central London, house prices have increased by 8% so far this year and rising interest rates: 2 rises in the last 2 quarters are up by 0.5%. Nannying gathers pace with the ban on smoking in public places, including private businesses like pubs, restaurants and clubs It has become for many a great chore, whether it’s the skyrocketing council tax addition from the Mayor of London. (In Westminster it constitutes 2/3 of the amount one has to pay in a year.) Or if one chooses to avoid the high central London taxes and regulations one has to pay congestion charge every day one drives in centrally, an area just extended greatly to cover more of West London, and now rising to £40 if one drives a vehicle the Mayor’s office considers too large. These costs are indeed in addition to any parking costs therefore the onslaught on the motorist is relentless. National government is also experimenting with tolls on a limited section of London’s ring-road the M25 with an aim to reduce congestion. If the toll proves successful then they will expand tolls to all major motorways across the country again hitting the motorist. If one prefers to travel into London on public transport one has to have an Oyster card or pay extortionate prices per journey, a card which you have to register prior to use, and therefore, allows the individual to be tracked on every journey he or she makes. Those wishing to opt out of both the underground due to safety and Oyster concerns will no longer be able to escape the latter as Oyster will be the cheapest way to go overground as well. Couples who have children or wish to have children are looking to the NHS and the education system with great concern. Both seem to be in decline. Tales of unclean wards, incompetent nursing and long waiting periods are very much in the news every day. In addition, the fact that it is unlikely that one will be able to provide a decent education for one's children without forking out large amounts of money for private education - if the ability and place exists, worry them as well. The demise of most grammar schools has taken a heavy toll on the quality of education in the UK.
Another factor is the ongoing threat of more home grown attacks by Muslim extremists in the UK. In polls people believe another attack is inevitable. The lack of will in government to tackle the obvious problem does not instill confidence and neither does the constant polling suggesting a large majority of Muslims agree with the aims of the 7/7 bombers.
Getting reliable figures out of the government for the amount of people attempting to leave Britain is difficult. It is clear if one speaks to people who can leave there is very strong feeling against staying in the UK. Its stark and its there.
Andrew Ian Dodge is a 38 year old American expat living and working in London in the UK. He is a writer, author, novelist, blogger, computer games consultant and the lyricist/frontman for Growing Old Disgracefully (www.disgracefulmusic.com). He has been writing Cthulhu mythos stories for many years and has written an Idiots Guide to the Mythos.
