I popped into the pub this lunchtime, as one does, and the conversation soon took its Dailymail-esque course into the migrant-refugee business. One of my well-heeled Thames Valley pals, his 4 x 4 comfortably nestled ino the car park, voiced his unease at the would-be migrant hordes in Calais, as people do. He had earlier dropped in the fact that he had attended church at 8.30 this morning, so I just couldn't ignore the open goal before me.
"You are right. Jesus was particularly strong on refugees and migrants. If he was here today, he wouldn't bother with money changers and temples, but would get on with sorting out these bloody asylum seekers"
Sadly, my words fell on stony ground.
Musings and Snippets from a recently retired JP. I served for 31 years, mostly in west London. I was Chairman of my Bench for some years, and a member of the National Bench Chairmen's Forum All cases are based on real ones, but anonymised and composited. All opinions are those of one or more individuals. JPs swear to enforce the law of the land, whether or not they approve of it. Nothing on here constitutes legal advice.
Were migrants able to take your job you'd be whistling a different tune.
ReplyDeleteHypocrite.
The gigantic influx of migrants is killing the working classes, destroying their hopes of employment and better wages and you don't have a clue.
I think we should make migrants magistrates, kick your smug arse out of office and see what song you'll then be whistling.
What "gigantic influx of migrants" are you referring to, and which jobs have been taken?
DeleteBearing in mind we've had a net migration of about a million in the last five years and that more than two million jobs have been created (1.6m or so of those full-time), it would appear that even if all of those million migrants has "taken" a job, the UK working class have had about a million new jobs in the last five years.
British Nationality is no longer a requirement to be a magistrate however an oath of allegiance must be sworn.
ReplyDeleteSo migrants are able to 'take bystander's job' all be it a job that isn't paid.
You're in good company. Jesus' words fell on stony ground as well.
ReplyDeleteSuch a smart alec. Do you really regard England as a people parking lot and to hell with the pre Blair English.
ReplyDeleteWas the point to argue that we should be more welcoming to migrants? I didn't think it was. Surely the point was to expose the hypocrisy of those who consider themselves christians, make a point of telling others that they go to church, but then display attitudes which are entirely contrary to what the bible appears to teach.
Delete[and, for the record, I am not a christian, nor am I happy with unlimited immigration. But I am happy to see religious hypocrisy exposed].
The counter quote for that one is Mathew 10:34.
ReplyDelete"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I come not to bring peace but a sword"
DeleteWhat exactly do you mean by that being a counter quote? *confused*
It seems foolish to import what is by definition a criminal cohort. Does anyone really imagine their first and last crime will be illegal entry into the UK? I suspect any London JP sees a disproportionate number of immigrants in their dock and their crimes are numerous and various. If we must have immigration then let it be well qualified individuals, screened for a criminal past, who will be an asset to the nation.
ReplyDeleteI'm really disappointed to see that the Bystander Team appear more inclined these days to offer political opinion (be it left wing oriented as it frequently is OR right winged) rather than talking about judicial issues.
ReplyDeleteCould we please, Bystander, get back to discussing judicial issues and, in particular, magistrate issues? Thank you.