The idea

You Talk, They Listen is a series of events we’re hosting at universities around the UK – each focusing on the topics you care about most in the run-up to the election; from higher education, to freedom of speech, climate change and immigration – young people talk and politicians listen. This time we focused on immigration.



The panel



Sonia Sodha, leader and comment writer for the Observer, and a former adviser to Ed Milliband

Professor Colin Thain, University of Birmingham, professor of political science and international studies

Dr Chris Allen, University of Birmingham, lecturer in social policy

Professor Jenny Phillimore, University of Birmingham, professor of migration and superdiversity

The chair

Rick Edwards, TV presenter and writer of None of the Above, a new book on why young people aren’t voting and why they should be.

The atmosphere

Students and panelists found common ground on many points – audience members stressed the positive aspects of immigration, and a large proportion indicated that they had family members who were immigrants to the UK.

Five top demands on immigration



1) We must stop scapegoating immigrants

A student said the real reason many people are anti-immigration isn’t because of immigrants themselves, but because, “we don’t have the money for the public services we want in this country”, and maybe “we aren’t taxing people correctly”.

Scapegoating groups such as Romanians, Bulgarians, Roma and Poles is foolish because we’re a country built on “the other”, said Professor Colin Thain. “There’s no such thing as an indigenous Brit.”

It’s often easier to blame immigrants than to address our real problems directly, said Dr Chris Allen, such as a lack of social housing. We’ve started blaming our lack of global standing on immigration, whereas we should be debating why we’re no longer “Great” Britain.

Rick Edwards takes questions from the audience. Photograph: Peter Summers/Newsteam

2) We need to better communicate the benefits of immigration

Labour in the past didn’t make clear why immigration was good, said Thain, or emphasise the value of eastern European migration. Evidence has shown that they’re the most productive people coming to Britain, he said. Sonia Sodha pointed out that many low-paid, low-skilled UK industries would collapse if it wasn’t for immigrants, such as elderly care. Immigration has also made our culture more vibrant, said Thain.

But some people do have legitimate concerns. A student, who called himself “quite rightwing”, said the working classes need to be “protected” from the effects of immigration – a word that many students and some panelists took issue with. Professor Jenny Phillimore conceded that more should be done to redistribute the fruits of immigration.

3) It can be difficult for international students to integrate



The integration of international students is a big issue, said one audience member. Another asked whether university ethnic and cultural societies encourage isolation and separation.

Cultural barriers, such as never having seen social drinking before, can prevent international students from fitting in. “Campuses and universities focus on British interests and fail to help international students who need more support,” said a student. There should be more areas on campus where different groups can meet.

Allen pointed out that people are drawn to people like them. “But in the very white and middle-class area where I live, no one would tell us we need to integrate. We always talk about minority communities not integrating with us, and not other way round,” he said.



4) The media must better represent immigration



There’s a negative attitude towards immigration across a lot of the media, Sodha said: “The way it’s presented doesn’t help, it just stokes up fears.” A social policy student said the media doesn’t accurately present the facts on immigration. Allen agreed, saying that the media is “damaging community relations and vilifying certain sections of society”.



However there’s not much that can currently be done, as the Press Complaints Commission doesn’t protect communities, he said. “There’s no recourse within the media. You can say what you want about immigrants and get away with it.” Thain added that the Levison enquiry needs to be turned into legislative action.

5) Young people need to change things for the better

One student said he doesn’t believe young people are politically engaged around issues such as immigration. “It’s been said that young people care a lot about the country,” he said. “But I disagree. They sit around watching TV and get drunk at the weekends and don’t look deeper.”

The panel, however, thought he was wrong. “I don’t think our politics allows you to participate,” said Thain. “That doesn’t mean you’re not interested.”



The younger generation is more tolerant of immigration, the panel said. “Young people are more open-minded and have grown up with diversity, so they can see the benefits,” said Phillimore.

Sodha agreed, saying that young people gave her hope. “You’re more tolerant, and as you grow up you’re going to take some of those attitudes with you. That gives me reason to be optimistic.”