![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screenshot-2020-07-01-at-07.12.24-550x368.png\")
<\/p>\nTory MPs are rather triumphantly tweeting this image this morning:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I have to admit, I think that is pretty sad. I use the term literally, and not as one of abuse.<\/p>\n
It is sad that we have lost some of our human rights to travel. Because that is what this means.<\/p>\n
It is sad that for many the option of living in Europe has now gone.<\/p>\n
It is sad that a racist agenda has been promoted.<\/p>\n
It is sad that the UK will no longer have access to some amazing people who wanted to live here, because it\u2019s always the most innovative and risk-taking people who want to migrate, but those qualities are not (and this will be shocking to many Tories) correlated with wealth.<\/p>\n
It is sad that we have sent out a message that we are closed-minded.<\/p>\n
And even closed.<\/p>\n
Whilst for the hundreds of thousands, and maybe more, who will be separated this is a disaster. The Tories have not learned.<\/p>\n
It is sad that prejudice has prevailed.<\/p>\n
It is also economically completely bizarre that we should want to do this. It will cost us significantly.<\/p>\n
With an ageing population and low birth rate we need migration.<\/p>\n
And recent migrants are extraordinarily hard-working - from wherever they come. That\u2019s a character trait and nothing whatsoever to do with race.<\/p>\n
The evidence is overwhelming that significant parts of the UK economy are dependent on migrants. And that migrants contribute significantly.<\/p>\n
But all that is now to be prevented from happening.<\/p>\n
Worse, if capital can move freely and labour can't then wages will be suppressed.<\/p>\n
Worse still, millions of people in this country feel more vulnerable as a result, at enormous cost to their well-being. This triumphalism for some will look very much like persecution for others.<\/p>\n
And why? To reinforce the idea of British exceptionalism, which is without foundation, unless prejudice counts for this purpose. That\u2019s why.<\/p>\n
Is that sad? I think so.<\/p>\n
And it makes me very angry, to be honest, that we are ruled by a political party capable of such inhumane celebration of abusing others. That\u2019s beyond sad. I think it\u2019s disgusting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"