Thom

I replied once to "Scrutineer" and once to "PauandDeb".

Until we get out of the EU.

Until we get out of the EU.

Interesting reading.

Slean, "capable" isn't really my intent though, "desirable" was more where I was heading.

Ok, Slean, I see, (but do not agree with,) your points. But will not pursue them as I think we'd head too far off topic. Shake?

But it should be about keeping ME happy! ;-) But that's not what were are talking about. You raised the valid issue of regional visas, so it would be a controlled and managed increase and placement of foreign nationals in Fort William. Do you think that is a wise thing? Is there no intrinsic value in FW as is? You can. It is entirely possible, once out of the dreadful EU, to control inward migration in to the UK.

When should we start the cull?

Ok, so if these "regional visas" were introduced, would that be fair? Say, for instance, Fort William if that were to be the place where immigrants were to be mandated to live and work. Would that not change the essential nature of the area, and the population? I've spent many a happy climbing holiday in the area, and the thought of it becoming another Birmingham doesn't exactly fill me with joy.

Agreed. Agreed. I believe our culture of tolerance and respect is still intact. I think we still hold some of our cultural festivals (obby oss, barrel burning, cheese rolling, and the like,) intact. Who are these people? I think you paint with too broad a brush, I'd say; "some of the immigrants are improving the culture and some of them are better educated than some of the natives.....we need some of their skills to support the rest of country" Too broad a brush again, and a tadge racist. But lets not wonder too far from the OP intent, UK capacity

Do you think measures should be taken to manage the controllable factors of that growth?

The idea of working and living in a UK with 120 million people fills me with horror. Where would the power and water infrastructure come from? If the majority of that expansion was people from other countries, what would be the effect on UK culture?

If I'm being honest, I think 70 m is tops, before the countryside starts being encroached in a way that would ruin the beauty of the landscape I love.

India has a land mass of 3,287,590 km², the UK 243,610 km². Would you wish the population density of India on the UK?

I was raising my concerns. If the sort of unbridled immigration the UK saw under Labour were to continue, I could see the already crowded UK having to resort to drastic actions.

Transplanting this question, from the Farage thread, as it is rather lost in there; One question I always ask of those who are "pro-immigration" is this; "What do you think the capacity of the UK to absorb immigration is?" Currently it is at 64 million people. Could the UK hold 70 million? 80 million? 100 million? What sacrifices should we make in order for immigration to rise? Loose our green fields? Cities with population densities as great as Tokyo's 4600 per square mile (London currently has 3,900/sq mi). Build housing all over the Lake District, erect concrete apartments on Snowdonia, build ghettos on Dartmoor, fill the Brecon Beacons with shanty towns? For the UK population to rise to 70 million, that would mean building the equivalent another 7 cities the size of Birmingham. How many people could/should the UK admit?

[h=2]"Tax Return for Wife"[/h] Fair swap.

The Prime Minister and Leader of The Opposition debate at Prime Minister's Questions weekly, and this is televised. Why bother wasting parliamentary time on law for something which already happens?

Exactly. Where have I said I think myself "impervious"?Sleep well.

Millibean is a Private Eye cartoon character, a very apposite one. http://www.private-eye.co.uk/pictures/strips/adventures_of_mr_milibean/1276.gif Such lovely stereotyping you show, with just a hint of lefty thought police. Are people with right of centre views not allowed to comment here?

I credit people with being wise enough to know the biases of newspapers. Ed Millibean has been vilified as he is a useless leader, a sub-Bliar clone, who is clueless as to the workings of the real world. Even the "more lefty than thou" Grauniad has little good to say about him. I agree he should be in the debates, I could do with the laughs. I agree that the debates should go ahead without Cameron if he chooses not to attend, they'll still be a laugh, watching Farage wipe the floor with Millibean, and the Greeny loopies showing off how mad they are.

Do we need another thread on the same topic?

Personally I think the TV debates are a waste of time and money. A reflection of voting for personalities rather than policies. Its unlikely Cameron will get much of a boost if he does well, and if he does badly then more likely to reflect badly on him. TV debates are not a fundamental part of the democratic process though. They are a relatively recent US import which allows the designated winners throw trivial sound bites at one another. I can only applaud Cameron for his stance. I hate these TV debates. If you want to know more on policies etc then read the manifestos, pick up a newspaper, study the previous form and achievements of the politician concerned. Don't base your decisions on an hour long farce. TV debates just pushes people towards soundbite politics. Passion and conviction are merely decoys to assist in the cover up the lies, soundbites and empty promises that are made at these debates. Its slightly entertaining listening to the excuses and evasion for the 90 minutes duration but nothing meaningful is achieved other than determining who can come across as the most convincing liar. However, given performances at PMQs I can't imagine a circumstance where Milliband could 'win' a debate with a dead badger let a lone a real live human. I cannot for the life of me see any sense in having 7 people involved in a televised political debate. Question Time struggles at times with only 4 or 5 participants.

Depends where in Cornwall you want to be. If you're going into the deepest darkest corner, the Lands End area, look here; http://www.cornwallfarwest.co.uk/

Traffic jams are very rare in Canberra, only usually occur due to roadworks, it shouldn't be a big consideration for you.