British?

These past few days, I've been observing the news as usual. I have come to the conclusion, that even though I was born in the UK (Newcastle upon Tyne to be precise), was schooled all my life here, and have paid tax to the British government for the year I worked between finishing my undergrad and doing my MA, some people still do not consider me to be British.

The recent contractor strikes in Lincolnshire and Sellafield have made British workers heard. "British jobs for British people" their placards read. Well, what then is British?

The current state of the economy is not boding well for many. Or any to be truthful. What the strikers do not see is that their protests will not suddenly open up job opportunities. Blaming immigrants is not the right answer, merely the easiest.

Without immigrant workers, the economy in the UK would be brought to its knees. Never mind a recession, there wouldn't be an economy. This isn't an immigrant issue at all. Article 39 of the E.U. treaty guarantees movement of workers throughout Europe, and no union leader anywhere should have a problem with that. Article 49 of the treaty allows firms to bring workers from the native country in which they are based as part of a service agreement. Would the strikers still complain if their rights were no longer protected when the firm they work for is contracted for work abroad? That the rights they have in their native country are void upon touching foreign soil?

Understand that an E.U. ban would go both ways. No more cheap flights to Magaluf. No more quality brie from France. And no more cheap seamstresses in the market to mend your fabulous party dress.

I am unsure whether I still want to classify myself as British. Why pigeon-hole myself? Especially since people in my own country do not seem to realise what the true nature of being British means.