I have to provide evidence to my employer (a pretty large firm) that I'm eligible to work in the UK. It's not at all unusual. I'm surprised this is news to anyone.
Re this Alex Massie comment - "It includes you because the next time you wish to open a bank account or rent a flat or register with a doctor you will have to prove that you are legally resident in this country."
What on earth does he think you have to do when opening a bank account now? Or when doing any of those things in any other European country? ...
You evidently think that the European authorities are more suspicious then is in fact the case. I've lived in four European countries, and opened bank accounts, rented flats and registered with doctors in three of them. I've NEVER been asked to prove legal residence for any of them.
Naturally if some reason arises to suspect that someone isn't a legal resident, the police reserve the right to investigate. But it's not the norm to require proof.
Try living in Italy. Also try doing it as a national of a non-EU country. I think you find you will be asked for quite a lot of information.
It's not a matter of being suspicious but of taking sensible steps to ensure that services paid for by residents of a country are not provided to those who are not entitled to them. Why do you (and, apparently, Tim) have such a difficulty with this simple concept?
I have difficulty with your making a derisive assertion ("What on earth does he think...in any other European country?) which I know from personal experience in four European countries to be false. If you'd said "Some European countries like Italy already make such requirements", fine. It's hard to get away with sweeping overclaims on pb.
EU countries have EHIC equivalent cards for when their citizens travel abroad. In most you would not get treatment in their country without them unless you were resident and could show the relevant documentation. Tim is being particularly ignorant on this one.
These Tory insiders are talking rubbish for the simple fact that the LD vote is likely to be around 13% ie its lowest since 1979 leading to a higher vote for the main parties. Indeed, in 1979 Thatcher got 43%, Callaghan 36% and Steel 13% which produced a clear Tory majority. I would expect any Cameron majority to be tighter than the 40 odd Thatcher got, but Cameron should be aiming to squeeze the UKIP vote down to at least 5% and get the Tory vote up to at least 40%+.
Re this Alex Massie comment - "It includes you because the next time you wish to open a bank account or rent a flat or register with a doctor you will have to prove that you are legally resident in this country."
What on earth does he think you have to do when opening a bank account now? Or when doing any of those things in any other European country? ...
You evidently think that the European authorities are more suspicious then is in fact the case. I've lived in four European countries, and opened bank accounts, rented flats and registered with doctors in three of them. I've NEVER been asked to prove legal residence for any of them.
Naturally if some reason arises to suspect that someone isn't a legal resident, the police reserve the right to investigate. But it's not the norm to require proof.
Try living in Italy. Also try doing it as a national of a non-EU country. I think you find you will be asked for quite a lot of information.
It's not a matter of being suspicious but of taking sensible steps to ensure that services paid for by residents of a country are not provided to those who are not entitled to them. Why do you (and, apparently, Tim) have such a difficulty with this simple concept?
I have difficulty with your making a derisive assertion ("What on earth does he think...in any other European country?) which I know from personal experience in four European countries to be false. If you'd said "Some European countries like Italy already make such requirements", fine. It's hard to get away with sweeping overclaims on pb.
You should have put 'anecdote alert'.
You are assuming that your experience was in any way typical. When you went to live in those four countries, were you a typical immigrant? In particular: were you the sort of immigrant someone so minded might have been suspicious of, and therefore required further proof?
I have difficulty with your making a derisive assertion ("What on earth does he think...in any other European country?) which I know from personal experience in four European countries to be false. If you'd said "Some European countries like Italy already make such requirements", fine. It's hard to get away with sweeping overclaims on pb.
Indeed it is Nick. Are you still standing by your claim that we can just easily and quickly free up a few transport bottle necks with 20 £100 million schemes. I shared your analysis with a few of my colleagues in the transport infrastructure industry, they were of the opinion you don't really have a clue in this area. Maybe you should avoid such sweeping overclaims?
I have to provide evidence to my employer (a pretty large firm) that I'm eligible to work in the UK. It's not at all unusual. I'm surprised this is news to anyone.
It's the same in the University academic sector too.
Re this Alex Massie comment - "It includes you because the next time you wish to open a bank account or rent a flat or register with a doctor you will have to prove that you are legally resident in this country."
What on earth does he think you have to do when opening a bank account now? Or when doing any of those things in any other European country? He makes it sound as if May was proposing the slaughter of the first-born not some measures designed (leaving aside the question of whether they will work) to ensure that those who have no entitlement to be in this country do not take unfair advantage of the services it provides.
You evidently think that the European authorities are more suspicious then is in fact the case. I've lived in four European countries, and opened bank accounts, rented flats and registered with doctors in three of them. I've NEVER been asked to prove legal residence for any of them.
Naturally if some reason arises to suspect that someone isn't a legal resident, the police reserve the right to investigate. But it's not the norm to require proof.
Lucky you. I have worked and lived in six different European countries - including Denmark which I suspect is one of your four - and in all of them have had to prove my right to services. I was not allowed to open a bank account in Norway as I was not a resident without getting a signed letter from the Norwegian government (which was bloody annoying since it was they who were insisting I open the account so they could give me a small tax rebate. Exactly the same in Denmark. Nor was I allowed to access any sort of medical services without proof I could pay which exceeded the EHIC since in two of those countries I was told I could not use it as I was a worker not a tourist.
I have to provide evidence to my employer (a pretty large firm) that I'm eligible to work in the UK. It's not at all unusual. I'm surprised this is news to anyone.
So you think everyone should have to provide that proof each time they access the NHS, fine. How much will that cost to implement?
And of course illegals are going to A&E anyway as there will be no checks there. And of course when people avoid GP's they tend to be in a more serious state when they get to A&E which costs even more. And during the time they are avoiding GPs they are spreading disease.
But never mind, someone somewhere feels better because they think something is being done.
Find my quote where I said everyone should provide proof of ID everytime they use the NHS. When you fail to do so, as you will, you can apologise for making things up. Why are you so dishonest, it's really quite weird.
You clearly had no idea that asking for proof of eligibility to work in the UK is absolutely standard. Rather than admit it you resort to making things up. Pathetic.
I do admire the optimism of PB Tories. We don't know what will happen between now and May 2015. Perhaps UKIP will self implode after a 2014 EU election falling out between Farage and others. There are tensions between Farage and various people in the party, apparently because Farage decides everything that happens in the party, without others having much of a say. There is also potential for Labour announcing policies which scare Lib Dems from tactically voting Labour. Some of Labours previous policies have not been considered very liberal and if they are seen by some as no different to the Tories, they may lose some votes.
My instinct is that Labour and the Tories will both achieve about 36% of the vote. The Lib Dems will achieve 15% of the vote and UKIP will achieve about 8%. Labour will be about 10 seats or so short of a majority and they will form a minority government.
I have to provide evidence to my employer (a pretty large firm) that I'm eligible to work in the UK. It's not at all unusual. I'm surprised this is news to anyone.
So you think everyone should have to provide that proof each time they access the NHS, fine. How much will that cost to implement?
And of course illegals are going to A&E anyway as there will be no checks there. And of course when people avoid GP's they tend to be in a more serious state when they get to A&E which costs even more. And during the time they are avoiding GPs they are spreading disease.
But never mind, someone somewhere feels better because they think something is being done.
European countries may treat you in casualty but they'd certainly bill you if you lack the requisite documentation. And if you didn't pay I believe they can bill the host country. In the real world things have to be paid for - it's only in Labour world that everything is free.
Re this Alex Massie comment - "It includes you because the next time you wish to open a bank account or rent a flat or register with a doctor you will have to prove that you are legally resident in this country."
What on earth does he think you have to do when opening a bank account now? Or when doing any of those things in any other European country? He makes it sound as if May was proposing the slaughter of the first-born not some measures designed (leaving aside the question of whether they will work) to ensure that those who have no entitlement to be in this country do not take unfair advantage of the services it provides.
You evidently think that the European authorities are more suspicious then is in fact the case. I've lived in four European countries, and opened bank accounts, rented flats and registered with doctors in three of them. I've NEVER been asked to prove legal residence for any of them.
Naturally if some reason arises to suspect that someone isn't a legal resident, the police reserve the right to investigate. But it's not the norm to require proof.
Lucky you. I have worked and lived in six different European countries - including Denmark which I suspect is one of your four - and in all of them have had to prove my right to services. I was not allowed to open a bank account in Norway as I was not a resident without getting a signed letter from the Norwegian government (which was bloody annoying since it was they who were insisting I open the account so they could give me a small tax rebate. Exactly the same in Denmark. Nor was I allowed to access any sort of medical services without proof I could pay which exceeded the EHIC since in two of those countries I was told I could not use it as I was a worker not a tourist.
I believe Dr Palmer's two favourite European countries are Norway and Switzerland . He has also expressed a desire to retire to Norway once he has completed his UK political career in mischief. Switzerland and Norway are non-EU , Dr Palmer claims to be a supporter of the EU. Actions , words , zero credibility.
Good job no one noticed that badger/goalpost thing eh?
That will teach those pesky badgers not to move the goalposts! Now minister wants to GAS animals which marksmen cannot shoot Owen Paterson defends claim that badgers 'moved the goalposts' Environment Secretary reveals government is considering gassing instead Marksmen told to kill 70% of badgers in two pilots to curb spread of TB But in Somerset only 850 of the 2,000 badgers targeted were culled
Tim. how many conversations have you had today when national laughing stock Owen Paterson's (who?), immortal (no really!) words were brought up. I'll bet if you were being honest (try it, it's good), the answer would be none.
France - EU Parliament polling "A poll by Ifop for Le Nouvel Observateur, published Wednesday (9 October), found that 24 percent of those asked said they will vote for the anti-immigration, anti-Muslim National Front party.
The centre-right UMP managed 22 percent while the Socialists, political home to President Francois Hollande, comes third with 19 percent."
Good job no one noticed that badger/goalpost thing eh?
That will teach those pesky badgers not to move the goalposts! Now minister wants to GAS animals which marksmen cannot shoot Owen Paterson defends claim that badgers 'moved the goalposts' Environment Secretary reveals government is considering gassing instead Marksmen told to kill 70% of badgers in two pilots to curb spread of TB But in Somerset only 850 of the 2,000 badgers targeted were culled
Tim. how many conversations have you had today when national laughing stock Owen Paterson's (who?), immortal (no really!) words were brought up. I'll bet if you were being honest (try it, it's good), the answer would be none.
Good job no one noticed that badger/goalpost thing eh?
That will teach those pesky badgers not to move the goalposts! Now minister wants to GAS animals which marksmen cannot shoot Owen Paterson defends claim that badgers 'moved the goalposts' Environment Secretary reveals government is considering gassing instead Marksmen told to kill 70% of badgers in two pilots to curb spread of TB But in Somerset only 850 of the 2,000 badgers targeted were culled
Tim. how many conversations have you had today when national laughing stock Owen Paterson's (who?), immortal (no really!) words were brought up. I'll bet if you were being honest (try it, it's good), the answer would be none.
Nonsense, this will be at least as big as Osborne's tears. Or the guinness thing. Anyone remember the guinness thing?!
Nonsense, this will be at least as big as Osborne's tears. Or the guinness thing. Anyone remember the guinness thing?!
On the subject of Guinness, I was in Ireland for the first time ever for a friend's wedding a month ago. The Guinness tasted no different in the Old Country! I was gutted!
Good job no one noticed that badger/goalpost thing eh?
That will teach those pesky badgers not to move the goalposts! Now minister wants to GAS animals which marksmen cannot shoot Owen Paterson defends claim that badgers 'moved the goalposts' Environment Secretary reveals government is considering gassing instead Marksmen told to kill 70% of badgers in two pilots to curb spread of TB But in Somerset only 850 of the 2,000 badgers targeted were culled
Tim. how many conversations have you had today when national laughing stock Owen Paterson's (who?), immortal (no really!) words were brought up. I'll bet if you were being honest (try it, it's good), the answer would be none.
Nonsense, this will be at least as big as Osborne's tears. Or the guinness thing. Anyone remember the guinness thing?!
Was that the night Dave bought a lamb chop in in Aldi, and got his butler to carry it home in a top hat?
Talking of the Black Stuff, I'm enjoying a pint of it on the Emerald Isle, and very good it is too.
Good job no one noticed that badger/goalpost thing eh?
That will teach those pesky badgers not to move the goalposts! Now minister wants to GAS animals which marksmen cannot shoot Owen Paterson defends claim that badgers 'moved the goalposts' Environment Secretary reveals government is considering gassing instead Marksmen told to kill 70% of badgers in two pilots to curb spread of TB But in Somerset only 850 of the 2,000 badgers targeted were culled
Tim. how many conversations have you had today when national laughing stock Owen Paterson's (who?), immortal (no really!) words were brought up. I'll bet if you were being honest (try it, it's good), the answer would be none.
Lots, but all in his head.
Did you set out who was going to be carrying what ID for us under your health scheme or did we miss this like we missed your argument for 66% marginal tax rates.
Go ahead.
I knew you'd try and weave those into one post. So predictable.
Why not do some research yourself? Take a bold step and leave the cosy confines of your den. France is only a short ferry ride away. The system seems to work over there.
Tens of thousands of teenagers in England do not have at least a C-grade at GCSE in English and maths by the time they are 18, new figures suggest.
And most who do not get a good grade in these key subjects by 16 then drop them.
The figures are revealed in new government statistics.
From now on, all teenagers will have to continue studying maths and English if they do not get at least a C-grade.......
The statistics, which have been published for the first time and are described as "experimental" by government officials, show that in 2009-10, about one in three young people (220,000) had not gained a grade A* to C in English by the age of 16.
The figures come days after a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said literacy and numeracy rates of England's 16- to 24-year-olds were among the lowest in the developed world.
Among 16-year-olds in England, only six in 10 achieve the government's minimum target of five good GCSEs including English and maths.
Good job no one noticed that badger/goalpost thing eh?
That will teach those pesky badgers not to move the goalposts! Now minister wants to GAS animals which marksmen cannot shoot Owen Paterson defends claim that badgers 'moved the goalposts' Environment Secretary reveals government is considering gassing instead Marksmen told to kill 70% of badgers in two pilots to curb spread of TB But in Somerset only 850 of the 2,000 badgers targeted were culled
Tim. how many conversations have you had today when national laughing stock Owen Paterson's (who?), immortal (no really!) words were brought up. I'll bet if you were being honest (try it, it's good), the answer would be none.
Lots, but all in his head.
Did you set out who was going to be carrying what ID for us under your health scheme or did we miss this like we missed your argument for 66% marginal tax rates.
Go ahead.
I knew you'd try and weave those into one post. So predictable.
And so predictable that you haven't the intellectual capability to make an argument on either.
Many others have explained down thread how the system works elsewhere. It seems clear that you're incapable of understanding or comprehending.
I have difficulty with your making a derisive assertion ("What on earth does he think...in any other European country?) which I know from personal experience in four European countries to be false. If you'd said "Some European countries like Italy already make such requirements", fine. It's hard to get away with sweeping overclaims on pb.
You should have put 'anecdote alert'.
You are assuming that your experience was in any way typical. When you went to live in those four countries, were you a typical immigrant? In particular: were you the sort of immigrant someone so minded might have been suspicious of, and therefore required further proof?
You're moving the goalposts - who do you think you are, a badger? Cyclefree made an assertion about everyone in all European countries. It's wrong. Accept it!
@tim - Why should anyone waste their time in engaging in serious dialogue with you when all they'll get in return is juvenile sarcasm and personal abuse? You've chosen that path - live with it.
Perhaps 5% of your 'output' merits potential interest but even on those occasions after two or three iterations you flit off into w@nky mode.
You are assuming that your experience was in any way typical. When you went to live in those four countries, were you a typical immigrant? In particular: were you the sort of immigrant someone so minded might have been suspicious of, and therefore required further proof?
You're moving the goalposts - who do you think you are, a badger? Cyclefree made an assertion about everyone in all European countries. It's wrong. Accept it!
You said 'in your experience'. I was just pointing out that others - say dark-skinned, non-European looking - may have had a very different experience in the countries where you didn't have any problems.
Much of this is down to the way an individual official looks at an individual. Were you typical?
Actually, I'll make a guess at that. You were not. Do you care to mention the countries, and why you were going to live in them?
Also, is your experience up to date? I suppose you were in those countries 'ages ago' when the rules may have been different.
I.e, less than seven weeks ago, by your reckoning of yesterday ... :-)
P1 and P2 should start at 2am and 6am respectively. However, worth mentioning that the basic forecast on the official website suggests thunderstorms (that forecast is often a bit old and wrong, though).
Key to the race may be the medium tyre, which Gary Anderson reckons could suffer as per Korea, and who can do best on the hards.
Careful, Mr. Jessop, or the left will brandish the race card in your direction (I recall [hopefully not wrongly, or I shall look an utter fool] that your lady wife is of Turkish origin).
You said 'in your experience'. I was just pointing out that others - say dark-skinned, non-European looking - may have had a very different experience in the countries where you didn't have any problems.
Much of this is down to the way an individual official looks at an individual. Were you typical?
Actually, I'll make a guess at that. You were not. Do you care to mention the countries, and why you were going to live in them?
Also, is your experience up to date? I suppose you were in those countries 'ages ago' when the rules may have been different.
I.e, less than seven weeks ago, by your reckoning of yesterday ... :-)
You're suggesting another thing Cyclefree might have said. "People in some European countries more often get asked to prove their residence if they are dark-skinned and look non-European." I'd have agreed with that, and think it's a problem. (It's one reason why the proposed measure is a bad idea - people will tend to implement it for people who look foreign, and ignore others.)
But it's not what she said.
As for recentness, I took out a rental three weeks ago. Nobody asked me to prove anything - indeed I've not met the landlord or agent (who therefore cannot assess how foreign I look, though he met my wife), and simply signed a contract and set up a standing order. If you, or Cyclefree, believe the rules have changed since last month, let me know.
Careful, Mr. Jessop, or the left will brandish the race card in your direction (I recall [hopefully not wrongly, or I shall look an utter fool] that your lady wife is of Turkish origin).
It's a serious point you make.
She's a Turkish vegetarian (*) liberal feminist. Which means I'm wrong on all counts. ;-)
(*) Pescetarian at the moment for health reasons, although still vegetarian in outlook. Sadly, it seems however hard she tries, she needs some fish to remain healthy. And she's tried.
You have to be careful studying one picture too carefully, as one picture can hide as much as it shows. But given the trouble UKIP got in over their whites-only brochure at party conference, it seems reasonable for (say) Huff Pro to ask why it appears to be a virtually male-only memorial service.
You're suggesting another thing Cyclefree might have said. "People in some European countries more often get asked to prove their residence if they are dark-skinned and look non-European." I'd have agreed with that, and think it's a problem. (It's one reason why the proposed measure is a bad idea - people will tend to implement it for people who look foreign, and ignore others.)
But it's not what she said.
As for recentness, I took out a rental three weeks ago. Nobody asked me to prove anything - indeed I've not met the landlord or agent (who therefore cannot assess how foreign I look, though he met my wife), and simply signed a contract and set up a standing order. If you, or Cyclefree, believe the rules have changed since last month, let me know.
Again, you are assuming that your experience was typical, and that the process applied to you was typical or the required.
I hate to break it to you, but you are not typical. You are an ex-MP, a PPC, and a frequent international traveller on business. Your name, your experience, your general deportment - all these things may lead you to be treated differently, even if someone has not met you. People take cues: even the name of the bank or bank branch.
People are fundamentally lazy/ Why go to the effort on a sure thing, when the effort may lead to losing a client?
In the same way I could walk the streets of London at night in the 1990s and not get stopped by the police (*), whilst some coloured friends of mine did.
Your story is an anecdote, which Tim frequently says are worthless. It would be interesting to know what requirements those countries legally have, and how they are applied.
(*) Except when driving past the Houses of Parliament in the early hours on two successive Saturday mornings. There's nothing quite like getting stopped by armed police to wake you from an inebriated state (needless to say, I wasn't driving, but gently snoring in the back).
Again, you are assuming that your experience was typical, and that the process applied to you was typical or the required.
I'll make one more effort to explain, then I'll give up. Cyclefree asserted in no uncertaibn terms that something was true for everyone throughout Europe. I disagreed. If anyone claims that something is always true,any counter-example is sufficient to prove it false.
You are saying it's a common problem for people who look foreign. I agree.
Again, you are assuming that your experience was typical, and that the process applied to you was typical or the required.
I'll make one more effort to explain, then I'll give up. Cyclefree asserted in no uncertaibn terms that something was true for everyone throughout Europe. I disagreed. If anyone claims that something is always true,any counter-example is sufficient to prove it false.
You are saying it's a common problem for people who look foreign. I agree.
OK?
No, not okay, not really. I think you're making too much of your own experience, and are taking Cyclefree's post too literally.
Comments
You are assuming that your experience was in any way typical. When you went to live in those four countries, were you a typical immigrant? In particular: were you the sort of immigrant someone so minded might have been suspicious of, and therefore required further proof?
I have difficulty with your making a derisive assertion ("What on earth does he think...in any other European country?) which I know from personal experience in four European countries to be false. If you'd said "Some European countries like Italy already make such requirements", fine. It's hard to get away with sweeping overclaims on pb.
Indeed it is Nick. Are you still standing by your claim that we can just easily and quickly free up a few transport bottle necks with 20 £100 million schemes. I shared your analysis with a few of my colleagues in the transport infrastructure industry, they were of the opinion you don't really have a clue in this area. Maybe you should avoid such sweeping overclaims?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-10/commonwealth-to-fight-act-gay-marriage-bill/5014872
Palmer United has the balance of power in the Senate and has formed a bloc with motoring enthusiast Ricky Muir
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-10/clive-palmer-joins-forces-with-motoring-enthusiast-ricky-muir-i/5013556
Labor MPs have now voted for their next leader and the last ALP members ballots will be received tomorrow, the result is expected at 2pm Oz time, 4am UK time to decide whether Anthony Albanese or Bill Shorten succeeds Kevin Rudd
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-10/countdown-on-as-labor-mps-cast-leadership-ballots/5015004
You clearly had no idea that asking for proof of eligibility to work in the UK is absolutely standard. Rather than admit it you resort to making things up. Pathetic.
My instinct is that Labour and the Tories will both achieve about 36% of the vote. The Lib Dems will achieve 15% of the vote and UKIP will achieve about 8%. Labour will be about 10 seats or so short of a majority and they will form a minority government.
Actions , words , zero credibility.
"A poll by Ifop for Le Nouvel Observateur, published Wednesday (9 October), found that 24 percent of those asked said they will vote for the anti-immigration, anti-Muslim National Front party.
The centre-right UMP managed 22 percent while the Socialists, political home to President Francois Hollande, comes third with 19 percent."
http://euobserver.com/political/121724
How will I prove to a landlord that I am British?
Will I have to take my passport with me when I travel within the UK?
Driving license? Birth certificate?
Nonsense, this will be at least as big as Osborne's tears. Or the guinness thing. Anyone remember the guinness thing?!
On the subject of Guinness, I was in Ireland for the first time ever for a friend's wedding a month ago. The Guinness tasted no different in the Old Country! I was gutted!
Talking of the Black Stuff, I'm enjoying a pint of it on the Emerald Isle, and very good it is too.
That covers 71% at least.
Why not do some research yourself? Take a bold step and leave the cosy confines of your den. France is only a short ferry ride away. The system seems to work over there.
Tens of thousands of teenagers in England do not have at least a C-grade at GCSE in English and maths by the time they are 18, new figures suggest.
And most who do not get a good grade in these key subjects by 16 then drop them.
The figures are revealed in new government statistics.
From now on, all teenagers will have to continue studying maths and English if they do not get at least a C-grade.......
The statistics, which have been published for the first time and are described as "experimental" by government officials, show that in 2009-10, about one in three young people (220,000) had not gained a grade A* to C in English by the age of 16.
The figures come days after a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said literacy and numeracy rates of England's 16- to 24-year-olds were among the lowest in the developed world.
Among 16-year-olds in England, only six in 10 achieve the government's minimum target of five good GCSEs including English and maths.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24478021
You should have put 'anecdote alert'.
You are assuming that your experience was in any way typical. When you went to live in those four countries, were you a typical immigrant? In particular: were you the sort of immigrant someone so minded might have been suspicious of, and therefore required further proof?
You're moving the goalposts - who do you think you are, a badger? Cyclefree made an assertion about everyone in all European countries. It's wrong. Accept it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rObSWkQA7og
Perhaps 5% of your 'output' merits potential interest but even on those occasions after two or three iterations you flit off into w@nky mode.
You said 'in your experience'. I was just pointing out that others - say dark-skinned, non-European looking - may have had a very different experience in the countries where you didn't have any problems.
Much of this is down to the way an individual official looks at an individual. Were you typical?
Actually, I'll make a guess at that. You were not. Do you care to mention the countries, and why you were going to live in them?
Also, is your experience up to date? I suppose you were in those countries 'ages ago' when the rules may have been different.
I.e, less than seven weeks ago, by your reckoning of yesterday ... :-)
http://www.blunt4reigate2015.com
Have you found the made up quote you attributed to me yet.?
If not I'll be the bigger man and let it drop if you apologise for making an honest mistake. Surely you're not beyond that?
One for you (if it works, meh...)
London underground pic.twitter.com/NG6FnBSpaK
P1 and P2 should start at 2am and 6am respectively. However, worth mentioning that the basic forecast on the official website suggests thunderstorms (that forecast is often a bit old and wrong, though).
Key to the race may be the medium tyre, which Gary Anderson reckons could suffer as per Korea, and who can do best on the hards.
Can anyone see what's wrong with this picture?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-24480987
Or as Mrs J put it: "the eradication of women from the public sphere."
It's a serious point you make.
But it's not what she said.
As for recentness, I took out a rental three weeks ago. Nobody asked me to prove anything - indeed I've not met the landlord or agent (who therefore cannot assess how foreign I look, though he met my wife), and simply signed a contract and set up a standing order. If you, or Cyclefree, believe the rules have changed since last month, let me know.
(*) Pescetarian at the moment for health reasons, although still vegetarian in outlook. Sadly, it seems however hard she tries, she needs some fish to remain healthy. And she's tried.
You have to be careful studying one picture too carefully, as one picture can hide as much as it shows. But given the trouble UKIP got in over their whites-only brochure at party conference, it seems reasonable for (say) Huff Pro to ask why it appears to be a virtually male-only memorial service.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/20/ukip-conference-brochure-spoof_n_3960146.html
I hate to break it to you, but you are not typical. You are an ex-MP, a PPC, and a frequent international traveller on business. Your name, your experience, your general deportment - all these things may lead you to be treated differently, even if someone has not met you. People take cues: even the name of the bank or bank branch.
People are fundamentally lazy/ Why go to the effort on a sure thing, when the effort may lead to losing a client?
In the same way I could walk the streets of London at night in the 1990s and not get stopped by the police (*), whilst some coloured friends of mine did.
Your story is an anecdote, which Tim frequently says are worthless. It would be interesting to know what requirements those countries legally have, and how they are applied.
(*) Except when driving past the Houses of Parliament in the early hours on two successive Saturday mornings. There's nothing quite like getting stopped by armed police to wake you from an inebriated state (needless to say, I wasn't driving, but gently snoring in the back).
You are saying it's a common problem for people who look foreign. I agree.
OK?
But it's probably best to leave it at that.