IMGs and Hysteria

Twitter has been tweeting its head off this week as Republican rednecks queue up to have a go at the NHS. The NHS is to blame for absolutely everything according to them and I suppose it was only a matter of time before they got round to two of their favourite subjects - immigrants and terrorism.

American commentators have been pointing out that the terrorists that carried out the jeep attack on Glasgow Airport were IMGs (Interntional Medical Graduates). Therefore the NHS represents a terrorist security threat. What this view hooks on, is that some years ago, the government decided to take in more IMGs to deal with a shortage of staff. Those on the lower grades were allowed to work for a number of years without a work permit, but once they wanted to apply for a higher grade, they needed to get a work permit. This was one of the untold stories of the MMC debacle, where IMGs found that they could only apply for job situations if their visa extended beyond August 1st. As many of them didn't have a visa in the first place, it was the boat home for them. I've told the story here.

It's difficult to know where to start with such a ridiculous assertion. How about the Tube bombers who were born and brought up in Leeds? What happened to them? How about one of the bombers of the American Embassy in Nairobi, who went to Nairobi, stayed there for some years and even married a girl there, while preparing for blowing up two hundred people? How about the Madrid bomber Jamal Zougam, who ran a mobile phone shop in Madrid? How about the 9/11 bombers who entered America and trained in their pilot schools before attacking the Two Towers? If I was being really uncharitable, how would the American health medical organisations run without immigrants? From the country that lifts the lamp beside the golden door, it's really rich to lecture us about immigration policy and security.

The truth is, terrorists can find any way in they want. They don't need the NHS for entry and identity cards in Spain did not stop the Madrid bombings. There is actually only one way to stop terrorists and that is to have the moderate majority on your side. Terrorists don't work on their own. They need money, weapons, safe houses and people to look the other way. And when you demonise and ostracise the moderates, that's when terrorism thrives.

The NHS from its inception has relied on immigrants from the Indian medical colleges and others, to be able to function. It is the second biggest employer in the world, after the Chinese army. And for all its faults (and they are many)it is a great British institution. I will be saying more on this, but for now, it's time to tell those Texan peskies to take a hike..