Are there jobs or is attitude the problem?

Immigration is such a hotly debated subject, it has at times demanded as many column inches and airtime as exposed love rats John Terry and Ashley Cole.

So, on reading about a programme called The Day the Immigrants Left, I was keen to take a look.

The documentary, presented by Evan Davis (if you don’t know him he is the rather odd looking narrator from Dragons’ Den), aimed to explore the effects of immigration in the UK.

His case study focused on Wisbech, a town in Cambridgeshire, which since 2004 has received up to 9,000 immigrants seeking work - the majority from Eastern Europe.

To test if the town needed so many foreign workers, immigrant employees were temporarily removed from their jobs, and the work given to the local unemployed, giving the town's British workers a chance to prove they can do it.

From there, 11 British unemployed workers were recruited to go into a range of different Wisbech workplaces; including a potato company, an asparagus farm, an Indian restaurant and a building site run by a local landlord.

If you are wondering how they fared compared to the infamously hard working foreigners, the answer, on the whole, was not too well.

Only three out of the 11 who took part gave a decent account of themselves, the rest either failed to turn up, or, those that did, appeared to be more concerned with taking cigarette breaks and ‘stropping’ if the going got tough.

The lame text messages sent, and pathetic excuses given, were embarrassing and completely transparent. A toddler could have come up with better.

Also you almost sensed an air of arrogance in some quarters, turning their noses up at a perceived ‘lowbrow’ job.

This, considering some had been out of work for five years, was shocking.

Prime examples of the Wisbechs’ workers shortcomings were clear on the asparagus farm. Here they earned their keep by picking as much as possible; the more they picked, the more they made.

Over the course of a normal day immigrants averaged around 120kg, the Wisbechs between 30-50kg.

From this evidence it is understandable why the big boss man is pro an Eastern European workforce; they work like Trojans – plus it makes business sense.

And looking at it from the immigrants’ perspective, if you had the chance to come over to a country and earn far better money than your homeland, wouldn’t it be idiotic not grab it with both hands? After all, large numbers do have families to support.

A Polish friend told me, attempting to get on the property ladder at home on a standard wage would take 10 years, come to England and work solidly for two and they are able to provide four walls for their family.

A counter argument: is enough of the money earned by the immigrants being put back into the British economy?

The knee jerk reaction is no, which may be correct; however, trying to quantify numbers is a whole different ball game.

Saying all this, it would be completely unfair to say it is a representation of the whole British public.

Obviously, you have to take into consideration the people who are not able to work, those with health issues and the people that really can’t get a job.

All I’m saying, is for the able bodied it is a matter of putting in the hard yards, irrelevant of the level or type of job.

In fact I’d have a cheeky flutter on there being a strong positive relationship between hard work and success.

My conclusion: the jobs are there for people who are capable and willing; unfortunately it is the attitude hindering progression.

Immigrants are not taking all our jobs – they are just willing to work themselves to the bone – something employers would be stupid to ignore.

(Watch The Day the Immigrants Left on BBC I Player).

The Power of Sport

The sure signs of enjoying an outing at the cinema: being glued to the seat while the credits come to an end; the lights come up; the friend who was kind enough to accompany you says he needs to leave because he has work early next morning.

Well, that was me the other night, after watching Invictus.

Personally I found the film truly inspiring.

Not only because you saw a man step out of a cell after 27 years and forgive everyone and everything, but because it showed a clear indication of the power of sport and how it can bring a nation together, in this case, divided by the colour of its skin.

The film does not focus too heavily on the political goings on; more Mandela’s belief that the 1995 World Cup could be the foundations from which to start the re-building of South Africa.

In the years leading up to the tournament, the Springboks weren’t exactly hot favourites; however, the leadership of Pienaar changed that.

He wasn’t how I imagined, not necessarily a man of many words, but when he spoke, people listened.

And so it proved, as the host nation defeated defending champions, Australia, in the opening match to avoiding England and New Zealand in a tricky route to the final.

Back then though, the rugby team was not well supported.

White people were behind the team, while black people cheered anyone who played against the Springboks. However, as the tournament progressed this changed.

By the time the final whistle sounded, skin colour was immaterial; people were hugging in the street and drinking in bars rejoicing in victory.

Proof sport really does bring a nation together.

Two good examples closer to home; look at the 2005 Ashes win and the moment it was announced we had won the bid to host the 2012 games. Trafalgar Square went bonkers; jubilation, hysteria, strangers hugging, screaming, kissing, even people in tears.

It almost seemed like the thousands of people gathered there were one big happy family, which was exactly what Mandela wanted.

He knew it wouldn’t solve everything - but it would break down barriers - and so it proved.

I know sport doesn’t always bring joy, think of the countless summers spent watching the England Football Team fill you with hope and then take it away faster than you can say David Beckham.

Saying that, even defeat brings a sense of togetherness, at least we all wallow in our own self-pity collectively.

I’m in no way saying play sport and everything will be fine but I think you can see what I’m trying to get at.

And in a world never far from its next disaster, I say let’s get down the park and have a kick about, because if you break it down, that was the simplicity behind Mandela’s plan.

(The facts and opinions from this blog have not only come from the film but research prior to its release. From my research Clint Eastwood attempted to portray the actions in this film as accurately as possible).

Give Babel a Chance

Last night Liverpool were about as sharp in front of goal as a blunt kitchen knife - that was until Ryan Babel took off his tracksuit.

It is not the first time this season we have seen a similar story unfold, when a team comes and parks its travelling bus in front of the Liverpool goal, they are bereft of ideas.

Dirk Kuyt, as much as he has good qualities, like running around a lot, is never going to make an opposition defence lose a night's sleep.

Albert Riera's final ball wouldn't look out of place in the Blue Square Premier; Alberto Aquilani looks about as creative as a plank of wood, is that 20 million tag weighing heavy on his skinny shoulders?

Javier Mascherano does what he is good at but Steve Gerrard, the one-man band, looks like a lost sheep without his buddy El Nino; don't even get me started on the potent striker that is David Ngog, so he scored last night, I could have buried that chance.

The problem Liverpool has is they have no one running from deep with the ability to terrorise a defence.

Players such as Aaron Lennon, Matthew Etherington, Craig Bellamy to name a few, have been invaluable to their teams this season and it shows when they don't play - just look at Spurs' recent troubles when trying to execute the knockout punch.

Now I'll agree with many of Babel's critics, that for large parts of his Anfield days, he has spent a lot of time with egg on his face; most recently being embroiled in a rather public Twitter rant.

But this boy has got the weapons in his armoury, which when released, could be unstoppable, match winning.

The thunderbolt in Lyon and the long range effort at Stamford Bridge stick out in my mind.

Also, when England played Holland in a friendly earlier on in the season, he made Glen Johnson look as average as Vedran Corluka.

He has got pace to trouble any defence and a right foot ready to be unleashed like a loaded gun.

And the difference in Liverpool's attacking threat is marked, even if the Dutch flyer's final ball can be hit or miss; at least he is getting himself into threatening positions in the first place.

So why doesn't Mr Adventurous play him?

He doesn't like him? He doesn't think he is good enough? He doesn't see potential? He doesn't regard him as a match winner?

The honest truth is I've got no idea, as Rafael Benitez is about as hard to dissect as an extract from Freud. I'm often left scratching my head.

One thing is for certain though, there is only so long and so far Liverpool can get grinding out 1-0 wins.

So go on Rafa - give Babel a chance - it might pay off.

Wilkinson's Star Wanes

There was once a time if you’d asked the rugby fraternity to pick a World XV, that Jonny Wilkinson would have been the first name on everyone’s team sheet.

Following a woeful display against a dogged Italian side he probably wouldn’t get into the fourth string team.

In his pomp he was feared for his ferocious tackling, sturdy kicking out of hand and sensational conversion rate.

What we saw in Rome yesterday was something so far from expectation it was almost embarrassing.

He has never been a sparkling runner, but we were fine with that because he kicked us out of trouble time and time again, keeping the scoreboard ticking over and ensuring territorial dominance.

However, this time it was his trusted left boot causing all the problems.

I lost count of how many times he caught the ball in his own 22, and had what seemed like an age to pick his spot in the Stadio Flaminio to put the Azurri on the back foot.

Instead, we got an aimless thump straight back to an Italian who couldn’t believe his luck.

Now it might sound like I’m giving old Jonny a bit of a battering, but the problem is when that part of his game breaks down you start asking yourself questions, well I do anyway, what is he bringing to the table?

On closer inspection not a lot.

And anyway if England wants to close the rather large gap in class between them and the Southern Hemisphere sides (New Zealand, Australia and South Africa) by the time the World Cup comes around in 2011, don’t they need to throw caution to the wind and go with the rugby trends?

The best fly-halfs on the circuit are arguably Dan Carter and Matt Giteau. These guys can equal, if not better, Wilkinson’s kicking game, as well as being able to turn a match with their sparkling side steps or a moment of individual genius.

So where does that leave us? Shane Geraghty, Toby Flood or the forgotten man Danny Cipriani.

Surely it is time these more than capable chaps took the number 10 jersey by the scruff of the neck.

Elsewhere in the 6 Nations, what a game we saw at the Millennium Stadium. Mr Twinkle Toes, aka Shane Williams, provided the x factor for Wales to leave a Scottish team sick to its stomach.

You have to feel a bit sorry for them and grumpy old Andy Robinson, but it almost seemed like it wasn’t meant to be as injuries spread through their side like the Bubonic Plague.

Although, when they manage to get over the feelings of utter despair - thanks to Robinson - improvements are clear.

Across the channel, France is looking ominous putting Ireland to the sword in the cauldron that is the Stade Francais.

With a pack to rival any nation led by the superb number eight, Imanol Harinordoquy, and a backline featuring the genetic freak (in a good way), Mathieu Bastareaud, you have to strongly consider if this is their year to sweep the board.

Talking of Bastareaud, how anyone can be as big and fast at the tender age of 21 is beyond me. He seems to have put the New Zealand debacle behind him and has a mature head on those gigantic shoulders.

As far as England are concerned there is a lot of work to be done, and although they were average against Wales, and even worse in Rome, I can’t help but think on Saturday 20^th March France vs England will be a Grand Slam decider.

You probably think I’m mad, but hey ho you’ve heard it here first.

Going back to Jonny, I want nothing more than to once again marvel at his every move and see some of the performances which built his reputation as a true English rugby great.

I’m just not sure he can.

We must have an Obama out there somewhere?

On the political horizon, although a date hasn’t yet been set, a General Election is looming, with the banter among MPs already in full swing in their pursuit to win the parliamentary throne.

However, from what I read and see in newspapers, online or on TV, the country seems to be in a state of uncertainty.

I was watching the 10 o’clock news a couple of days ago and saw an interesting feature by the BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson.

He was spending the week with a ballet box attached to the roof of his car travelling across the country doing what he called ‘our totally unscientific quest to take the pulse of the British electorate.’

First stop on his road trip was Cardiff posing the question: "Do you want five more years of Labour?"

It was a simple question, with an even simpler answer, but the angst on people’s faces when they were asked to tick the box marked yes or no was obvious to say the least.

Alarmingly for Labour many answers were no, however, some individuals found the question so hard they drew their own box in the middle placing a question mark in it.

When Mr Robinson quizzed the voter on this their response was: “I don’t really want Labour to continue but I don’t want that other lot getting in either.”

Nick Clegg can kid himself as much as he wants but you don’t have to be a political boff to know he isn’t talking about the Liberal Democrats, as much as some people might not like it, this will be a two horse race between the red of Labour and the blue of the Conservatives.

Now I am no expert in the world of politics so it would be wrong for me to criticise these parties on their plans to get this country out of crippling debt, the state of our schooling system or the meltdown of universities.

Much like I don’t really know a huge amount about American politics either.

But do you know what I’d feel a damn sight safer having Mr Obama in charge. It might not be running so smoothly for him at the moment but he does make the right noises and has a fair amount of responsibility since he is ‘the most powerful man on earth.’ It is arguably the hardest job on the planet.

Nearer to home our MPs just squabble among themselves in a battle of who has the biggest cajones (Spanish for balls), whereas at least Obama is getting on with it even if people don’t necessarily like what he says.

Although, sometimes it’s not even what he says, he has most people eating out the palm of his hand even before he opens his mouth – and why is that? His charisma, his aura, his presence.

There are 646 MPs in this country; one of them must have some of those things because I bet you if they did half the battle would be won.

I look at Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg and I don’t get any of those feelings from them.

Dare I say it, Tony Blair had something about him until he got lost up George Bush’s backside; we forgot what he looked like, and then they marched into war hand in hand. What a mistake that was!

And that’s why our country is in a state of uncertainty. None of these men have gained the trust of the public because no one really likes or respects them – and that’s where Obama differs.

So will the British Obama please stand up - your country needs you!

Welcome

I'm putting my writing skills to the test and getting on the blogging bandwagon.

What I write about probably won't follow any kind of logical sequence as it's likely to be whatever is occupying my thoughts at the time.

People that know me are aware I'm a bit of a sports nut so expect to see some forthright opinions on the latest stories hitting the back pages.

There will be blogs on news, showbiz and completely trivial subjects which I feel like ranting about.

The chances are you will probably disagree with some of the things mentioned, but that doesn't worry me - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

So this is my slice on life - I hope you enjoy it.