By: Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News
Image by Richard TownshendThe government were elected on one simple phrase, Get Brexit Done. A message that resonated to such a degree it smashed down the great red wall of the north. It was a simple message and intentionally so.
Their message, and who it was aimed at is potentially explained through the video below. Please do watch before you read on as it will add context.
The people in the video are everyday people, ordinary folk going about their day, seemingly not overtly political but with an opinion that I suspect most rarely shared unless asked to.
The answers point to a deeply embedded belief that ‘foreigners’ are not wanted, those interviewed are unanimous in this belief, but none when probed can provide any reasonable justification for their view.
What a find for anyone prepared and capable of manipulating it. Come in Dominic Cummings.
The find, made in 2015 by Cummings when approached to lead vote leave clearly preceded the strategy and tactics deployed to achieve Brexit.
The messaging of the campaign was then squarely aimed at and delivered to people just like those in the video, over and over and over again, confirming their deeply held prejudice that in their own view was no more than an honest opinion. And through social media advertising profiles every subset of society holding those views were treated to a creative made literally just for them.
How the Brexit referendum was won, as well as the 2019 election victory, is old news, but it now has a sinister implication for anyone hoping government may U-Turn on any part of it. They won’t.
It was and remains the cornerstone of everything they stand for, and in many ways the only thing they stand for. And it has very deep roots, in government, the Conservative party, and the electorate. It wins votes and with little else available to offer the electorate, undiluted xenophobia continues to suffice.
Many voters may not even fully appreciate their motivation to vote this way, it is subconscious and subtle. But as the video demonstrates, as did the last election, the majority of ordinary voters, on all sides of the political spectrum, when presented with the opportunity to limit ‘foreigners’ coming into the UK will take it.
While the implementation of Brexit was underway it was masked by the Covid pandemic, this was true for much of the economy and none more so than hospitality.
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union at 23:00 31 January 2020 GMT, led in the following months to hundreds of thousands of non UK nationals who worked in hospitality leaving the country, and the industry.
During this time hospitality lay dormant until reopening started on 12 April 2021. From an HR perspective the cupboard was bare, but the pandemic remained foremost in people’s minds. As reopening accelerated in stages, shortages of people available did likewise.
Also at the same time the marvel of government’s vaccination programme was front and centre of every news broadcast. The reopening of the country led to many ‘good news’ economic headlines, most of course being year on year comparisons to 2020.
Reopening was initiated in April, and here we are now more than four months later seeing job vacancies in hospitality grow to over 200,000, 11% of hospitality’s entire workforce.
All calls on government to ease regulations related to allowing non UK nationals to work in the UK to date have been met with a cut and paste reply from government. Reiterated by the Home Secretary who has said on countless occasions: Post-Brexit rules “encourage employers to invest in the domestic UK workforce, rather than simply relying on labour from abroad”.
So, to all in hospitality finding things difficult, please listen to the Home Secretary and understand her simple solution to the industry’s crisis.
News from the hospitality and catering industry is also being featured extensively in our Facebook and twitter social media accounts with the opportunity to engage with others in hospitality and share your views.
Hospitality & Catering News: Home Secretary provides solution to hospitality’s people and skills crisis. – 27 August 2021 – Home Secretary provides solution to hospitality’s people and skills crisis.
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