I suppose I'm a "live and let live type" missel, but then I'm a son of an immigrant.

My dad came here from Ireland with his older brother in 1942. He saw the "No blacks, no Irish" signs in the lodging houses in Manchester. His brother got a job in an armaments factory, but my dad couldn't get a start anywhere, so he joined the RAF - bet the brylcreem boys loved that - a Paddy in the RAF! Who'd a thowt it?? Finished up in North Africa till demob.

After the war both he and his brother got jobs with Lancashire County Council Parks and Gardens dept. It was while he was putting in the bowling greens at St Pauls Labour Club he met my mam, the rest is history. He died in 1975 at the age of 55 and never claimed a penny of benefits in his life.

I don't believe that any immigrant comes here solely to live off benefits. They come, like my dad did, to work and make a better life for themselves - the same as many many British who have emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc. Problem is, the jobs are not there now.

And why? Cameron's austerity policy. And why is that necessary? I refer you to my earlier post i.e bank bailouts / tax dodging schemes / private companies and individuals (e.g Sir Peter Green, Sir Richard Branson) ripping off the public purse to a massive extent.

Far too simplistic (and misguided) to blame immigration for the state of the country. Sorry for the rant.

Pat politics and religion are a great opinion provider, talking of bowling greens they are in real danger of extinction and from a lad brought up watching mi Grandad and dad on Tamar, Rubber, Sportsman and many others, pop and cheese n biscuits as a treat, I do worry for the keen bowlers of the town - St Pauls next?

Do you really believe that?

Yes

Has any of the moaners tried living off benefits?

I'm the only one of 4 adults in my house with a job. Every one else is massively struggling financially and if my wage wasn't present there would be serious problems.

Life while on benefits is no laugh.

Just think how we could revive the towns mentioned in this thread if we scrapped the misguided bus way.Just a quick mention in immigration,yes its always been here but its not controlled properly as our services are now being suffocated.Oh and going back on topic,I have played Dick Jones poem in hi ho silver lining style on the guitar,and it sounds good.

Got to say I do and' am not just saying that as a wind up.

So you think that every European immigrant, legal and illegal, who came to this country to find work and were highly delighted that cash was thrown at them, they were housed, fed and watered and they didn't need actually need to work. And it was a surprise to them!!! Wow.

Wow you sound like a propoganda merchant for UKIP.

Bet these lazy bone idle scroungers eat at the best restaurants in the country. are daft enough to buy bottled water and stay in 5 star hotels in this country.

I prefer to think they come here for opportunity to better their lives. Reffy go to Albania for a fortnight and bring me back some cheap cigs.

OK it doesn't work out for them all but it does for most.

Are there any Leythers living abroad who have left the UK to live off state handouts I think not but maybe unemployment benefit is more generous than I think.

How much a week is it by the way ?

Salfordlad, I am not a propaganda merchant for anyone, the thoughts are my own. I have seen the ghettos that the Eastern Europeans are making in parts of Leigh. But as you say every one of them is gainfully employed, they must work some funny hours, perhaps you could give some some examples of where they are working?

I agree they are all bettering themselves by being over here, but should they be this country's burden? If our European masters insist they be allowed to live in this country they should pay for them.
The Leythers now domiciled abroad have probably worked for donkeys year and saved to enable them to move.

I am surprised that you insist that incomers of various nationalities all came for work and none for benefits.

Now if you read my earlier response you have made two assumptions about things I have not written.

I suggest you e mail a couple of our posters who now live in Canada for example and please tell me how much a week unemployment benefit is.

Leigh's problem at the moment is that there are little or no manafacturing jobs to be had and no pits.

I cannot understand why that would change anything if we sent all immigrants living in Leigh back to their own countries.

Re where do immigrants work. I have no idea but I would suggest you ask one when you see one maybe they will tell you.

There was a Polish steward at Fev today btw he would probably preffered to be outside on Glebe St in Leigh drinking vodka which was paid for us taxpayers.

a) What attracted them to Leigh then?
b) There would be a massive reduction in benifit payments giving more money for genuine cases, release more housing for working families who can't afford the rents because they don't get them paid by the state.

Well we will never agree on this particular issue but if you ever meet me b4 a game we can talk about it and I will be in the George and Dragon 2 hours before our next game kicks off.

Mind you I will talk as well about our team which I know we are both passionate about.

Oh and if you drive you could give me a lift home and I will give you a quid for petrol.

I'll take your word for that and will discuss that with you next time I bump in to you.

As someone who is also the son of an Irish immigrant, I can't disagree with anything you've said there Pat!!