Disappearing Act: British Identity in Danger?

            Singer/Songwriter, Steven PatrickMorrissey, from the popular eighties band The Smith’s commented on Britain that, “although I don’t have anything against people from other countries, the higher influx into England the more British identity disappears.” The quote comes from a 2007 interview where the singer discussed the hot topic of migration into Britain. At the time, the comment was taken as offensive. Currently, comments like these are heard all over the island.

            Britain is a popular destination for migration. Anyone who has gone through the British customs has experienced how hard it is to enter into the country. There’s a reason for this, and that is cracking down on the influx of people who migrate there. Britain has social benefits that make it an advantageous location. On top of that, most who migrate to Britain are able to find good work.

            Britain has been able to avoid a massive amount of in and out into the country due to it not being a part of the European Union created Schengen zone. The Schengen Zone allows for mobility between all members of the zone without the use of a passport or the worry of border patrolling. The Schengen Agreement is yet another vehicle used to further cement the pan-European identity. If people can freely travel to another country with the hassle of passports and customs, why wouldn’t they?

            A new proposal by the European Union will change all of this for the UK. There has always been a large amount of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants, but starting in January of 2014, these two groups will have unrestricted access into the UK. These two groups will be free to gain employment and live in the country with the same rights as citizens of the UK. As one can imagine, this is causing a huge uproar.

            From the very beginning, the UK has always been on the fence with its relationship concerning the European Union. Winston Churchill famously referred to the European Community as the ‘United States of Europe’ and never included Britain as one of the states. It would take until the seventies before the country would join. Even with joining, the UK is not in the Eurozone and it is not a part of the Schengen Agreement. It’s a member without any of the commitment.

            The UK is one of the most Eurosceptic nations in the entire Union. It is very against European integration and doesn’t even believe that the European Union will exist into the future. It sees it as the downfall of Europe, boasting how the economic crisis didn’t affect the UK as much due to its use of the pound instead of the euro.

            It all makes one wonder why the UKwould even bother being a part of the Union? Many would love to exit the Union, but it is not a simple process, a large reason as to why it’s still a member. An interesting identity the UK must have within the group. Its image is to be the entity that demeans the very Union that it is a member of. Perhaps this the only way the UK knows how to carve an identity for itself when it sees its self slowly being overcome by migration?

            Whether an influx of Bulgarian and Romanians to the UK is a positive move is up for much debate. Many in the European Union argue that it will boost the UK’s economy and is good for its job sector as it will fill the positions that Brits are not taking. Counter to this, many argue that it is opening the door for benefits tourism and that in actuality the jobs filled by Bulgarian and Romanians will not actually make a positive impact. Regardless of the debate, it is happening. The UK has no choice but to accept it as a member of the European Union.

            As much as I don’t understand the presence of the UK in the European Union, I do understand the animosity that has been built regarding forcing the UK to accept Romanians and Bulgarians with no restrictions. These are two cultures that differ very much from that of the UK. Back in the United States where I am very much in the support of immigration, but I find myself questioning it in Europe. How far can pan-Europeanism go before infringes on a country’s right to individuality? Does pan-Europeanism mean that individuality has to be sacrificed? What happens to a country’s identity when some outside body has the power to make such impactful decisions?