Politicians criticized for disregarding public concerns, as questions arise about a plan that suggestally aims to increase Greater Manchester's population dramatically within a four-year span, leading to potential flooding of the UK.
Article: Unity and Division in Modern Britain: A Comparative Study of Ancient Civilizations and Contemporary Politics
In the heart of modern-day Britain, questions about unity and cohesion are being posed as the population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Sir Roger Scruton, an English philosopher, believes that a nation is held together by shared history, culture, and a sense of belonging to one another. However, the rapid population growth and mass immigration are causing many to question whether contemporary Westminster politicians understand the importance of maintaining this bond between rulers and the ruled.
The population of England and Wales has grown by 707,000 people in the year to June 2023, equivalent to adding a city the size of Liverpool in just 12 months. This growth is primarily due to mass immigration, with more than 80% of the population growth coming from outside Europe. In fact, since Tony Blair came to power in 1997, there has been more immigration into England and Wales than during the entire period between the Anglo-Saxon era and World War II.
By the end of the current century, roughly one in every four people on these islands is projected to be following Islam. The foreign-born and their descendants are forecast to become the majority in England and Wales by the early 2070s. These demographic shifts have led some to question who voted for this rapid population growth and uncontrolled immigration.
Ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome were held together primarily by shared political structures, collective military organization, cultural-religious cohesion, and systems of alliances or empire that created a common identity and order. In contrast, modern politicians in Westminster are often criticized for failing to effectively address the comparable foundational factors that maintain unity and stability within contemporary Britain.
Challenges include managing diverse identities within the UK, addressing regional autonomy demands, and preserving a shared political culture amid globalization and changing social values. Unlike ancient city-states or empires with more centralized or culturally homogeneous power bases, contemporary Britain is marked by complex multi-ethnic and political dynamics.
Political leaders in Westminster often focus on short-term electoral gains or party interests rather than fostering inclusive civic bonds, stable institutions, or a common imperial or cultural identity that transcends divisions. This can result in polarization and difficulties in creating the unified national vision needed for long-term stability, echoing the strains on Greek unity and the eventual fracturing of Roman cohesion centuries ago.
The number of small boat crossings, a common method for illegal immigration, has also surged. Since 2018, there have been more than 170,000 illegal migrants via small boat crossings. In 2023 alone, the number of small boat crossings has surged above 25,000, up 51% from the same point last year. The Taliban and thousands of other Afghans have been imported to England and Wales, while the press is gagged, and the people are not informed.
This rapid population growth and uncontrolled immigration are causing many communities and the country to become unrecognizable. The authors suggest that this trend is blowing apart the once sacred bond between the rulers and the ruled, treating the people with contempt, and ignoring what the people want. Ancient Greek writer Pericles believed that leaders could only rule with the trust of the people they lead. The question of what holds a country together is important and often unanswered in contemporary Westminster.
Education-and-self-development initiatives should focus on promoting awareness about the importance of shared history, culture, and national identity in fostering unity and cohesion within the population. Encouraging discussions on the significance of these factors for general-news platforms and among sports teams can help foster a sense of belonging and unity, mirroring the collective identity found in ancient civilizations.
Crime-and-justice concerns may arise from the lack of attention paid to maintaining the bond between rulers and the ruled, as demonstrated by the increasing number of small boat crossings and unauthorized immigration. Addressing these issues and controlling immigration flows can help prevent feelings of powerlessness and contempt among communities, necessary components for keeping a nation united, as ancient city-states and empires have shown.
