Ping
It is over twenty years since I visited my native London. I felt a deep depression as I was driven out to Chelmsford, Essex from Heathrow Airport. I saw whole areas with nary an old fashioned inhabitant. I visited the Historical Society Genealogical meeting to listen to a lecture.
An authoritative lady lecturer tried to assuage fears about the changing face of London. A man had asked plaintively "why, why do they want to change what we have?" She launched into her version of the myriad races who had occupied London, including the Romans. They had built old Londinium. It is history, she went on.
I knew myself just how many different peoples had come to London. Polish, Irish, Italian, French Protestants running from terror. even Chinese at Limehouse. I have the Dulieu descent from those refugees. All seemed to meld into the scene. Not so now.
I really do not know what will be the outcome. The common Londoner who stood cheerfully against the blitz in 1940/1 are mostly gone. They are betrayed, as are the few who dare protest now in Birmingham.