[Calico Cat]

How do the British feel about the masses of Third-World immigrants who have been landing on their shores for the last twenty years? Is there the same cultural divide in England as there is in the U.S.: the people being overwhelmingly in favor of limiting immigration, while the politicians allow it to go on?

My opinion: this is what socialized medicine has wrought. The Baby Boomers never bothered to reproduce and to replace their numbers, so their retirement would be a financial disaster for any nation that didn't allow in untold numbers of immigrants to pay for the old folks' medical care.

[MadIvan]

How do the British feel about the masses of Third-World immigrants who have been landing on their shores for the last twenty years?

In my opinion, the feelings range from mild resentment to simmering dislike.

Is there the same cultural divide in England as there is in the U.S.: the people being overwhelmingly in favor of limiting immigration, while the politicians allow it to go on?

Yes.

My opinion: this is what socialized medicine has wrought. The Baby Boomers never bothered to reproduce and to replace their numbers, so their retirement would be a financial disaster for any nation that didn't allow in untold numbers of immigrants to pay for the old folks' medical care.

Not really. What happens is this - as societies become more affluent, birth rates generally go down. It is becoming more and more expensive to raise a child as we become wealthier (I know that sounds odd, but a child 30 years ago didn't need an XBox) and birth control is more readily available.

Socialised medicine hasn't helped, but it is a function of affluence I believe.

Regards, Ivan