Come on, z_darius ... what on earth has colonialism some 300 years ago to do with today?
A lot.
In short, one might be tempted to go as far as saying that UK never had economy to speak off. Take away the effects of plunder by the British and do you have left? Haggis?
Although honestly, no one really knows how it would be to rely solely on themselves as the Brits never tried.
Fact of the matter is that people from Central and Eastern Europe come to the west, work a couple of months and then go on and abuse the welfare system.
Nowadays even more, since we all are facing the consequences of the economic crisis. The time of free handouts is over.
That's a drop in the bucket. If you're serious about fixing Britain's economy then start here. That's where real handouts go, and this is just a tip of the iceberg.
You'd hate it when people would abuse the welfare system of your country (if it has any) and so do we.
I certainly would, and I detest the fact they some indeed do.
If people abuse the English, Dutch, German welfare system or the welfare system of whatever country, they should be expelled.
I wouldn't lump Germans in the mix. While they did try to be like Brits they got kicked in their collective rear end really bad and yet they picked themselves up and are on top in EU. For that, IMO, unlike Brits that they deserve much more respect than the Brits.