Ammunition

[andy222]

Ok guys I contacted the local radio station about not being able to get my wife and stepdaughter here because of the minimum income threshold. They have invited me to have my say on the show. I need some help on this. We have talked about the ins and outs on here before. For example why should our spouses take the english test?. I have been invited to talk on the station and put my points across. Obviously there will be people ringing in with their views so I want to get my answers ready. Any thoughts appreciated..

[stevewool]

thats a good start andy well done for getting this far, just have to be carefull what you say and how we can help you, its trying to put it in some sort of order, when is the date you are going

[lastlid]

Yes. Why should a Filippino, who's 2nd language is English, who is taught in English and has a degree in English taught in English, have to take the English Language Test ?

Or even why should a Filipino who has a 3 year degree taught in English have to take the test?

[lastlid]

Like you said ealier, Andy, the Philippines isn't Thailand or Cambodia etc in the same way that France isn't Britain. These South East Asian countries are all different in a range of ways.

[andy222]

I should have been on the show yesterday but I was working and my boss dont know anything about it if you know what I mean?. So they are arranging it for next week. Whether it will do us any good I dont know. But at least I will have my say.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Good on you Andy.

Which radio station is it?

[andy222]

Not telling you but its close to you. WM

[lastlid]

Have you got your list of ironies lined up? Working for the NHS, daughter in the army etc etc

[Ako Si Jamie]

Not telling you but its close to you. WM

BBC West Midlands?

[Dedworth]

Well done & Good luck Andy - I've been on local Radio (BBC & Commercial) a few times, interviewed in the studio, down the phone and by the roadside. 1st time was a bit daunting but after that it was much easier, try to imagine you are just getting your views over in a pub discussion. Best one I ever did was in the studio about a pikey invasion of a local park, I took a sheet of notes and must say points with me. They recorded it and did a few repeat broadcasts.

Make sure you are well prepared to get the salient points over.

[andy222]

BBC West Midlands?

Yes mate radio wm

[andy222]

Thats why I asked on here Ded. If anybody has anything to ask and it is relevant i will do.

[lastlid]

See Yellowclouds post #64.....

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ht=Yellowcloud

[grahamw48]

Write down the main points you want to raise on a piece of card...numbered and rehearsed...(just like the MPs do ).

1. Present government policy is discriminatory and unfair.

2. It contravenes Human Rights (Family Life).

3. It uses an unfair and unreasonable 'one size fits all' system. (Filipinas being required to take an English test, when they are educated in English in their country, for instance)....just some examples.

As on all of these radio programmes, be prepared to be rushed along and have to put up with foolish and ignorant questioning.

Take and keep control.

If you feel that you are being led down a path of their choosing, don't be afraid to point that out and defend your stance.

Speak clearly and in short to-the-point sentences.

People will then remember what YOU said, rather than the typical knee-jerk comments from some of the ignorant tools who will be phoning in.

[andy222]

I have to have all the answers ready Graham just in case they give me what I ask for. And that is a member of the conservative party on the show to answer the questions. I have to think what questions they will ask me as well. As for your points.
Point 1. You are right it is discriminatory. But in what context? There answer will be the european union.
Point 2. The government has already ruled out the Human Rights act by saying if you dont meet the requirements you cant enter the country. (sneaky I know but thats what they have done).
Point 3 is a valid point. I could respond in asking. What british guy would go to the philippines and get married to someone who doesnt speak english?.

[lastlid]

And the exhorbitant visa fees that are twice the amount it costs to process them.

[lastlid]

Andy, what is the exact core of the part of the show that you are participating in? Is there a title to it?

[grahamw48]

Andy.

It doesn't matter what the government's defence is. - Doesn't mean they're right, or being reasonable.

YOU are expressing YOUR opinion.

If they are stupid enough to mention the EU, well then off you go ....WHAT IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE A CITIZEN OF ANOTHER EU MEMBER COUNTRY WISHING TO BRING YOUR FILIPINA FIANCEE OR SPOUSE TO THE UK ???

[grahamw48]

And the exhorbitant visa fees that are twice the amount it costs to process them.

No point mate.

We don't know what it actually costs them...and never will.

What really needs to be debated is whether or not the rules are REASONABLE and FAIR...as with all Human Rights and discrimination issues. (IMO)

[andy222]

I agree Graham they are not right thats why I am going on there. I will make my point but at the same time I dont want to end up a laughing stock in fact I want to tie them up in knots.

[lastlid]

No point mate.

We don't know what it actually costs them...and never will.

What really needs to be debated is whether or not the rules are REASONABLE and FAIR...as with all Human Rights and discrimination issues.

I thought I saw a document posted by Joe Bloggs that said they were twice the cost...a few months back now. I don't know if I could find it easily. It was a government document.

[andy222]

Its like my mp said. These rules should not apply to hard working uk citizens. Reading between the lines Im guessing that he meant hard working white uk citizens. I might be wrong though. At the end of the day we all know why these rules were bought out.

[grahamw48]

@ lastlid:

Try proving it.

Just opening a can of worms, ending up with the UKBA 'creating' some figures showing what a loss they're making out of the visas.

[grahamw48]

Its like my mp said. These rules should not apply to hard working uk citizens. Reading between the lines Im guessing that he meant hard working white uk citizens. I might be wrong though. At the end of the day we all know why these rules were bought out.

Andy...only people who earn more than £18,600 a year are working hard enough.

[lastlid]

All the evidence one needs is in the document here....2nd page...written by Damian Green...
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...s-feb-2012.pdf

He also has openly said that some visas are charged over the cost....so they aren't hiding it.



"Fees will increase by only 2 per cent in the majority of cases, but there will be higher increases on certain routes." I.E. the family routes....

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...-fees-proposed


It was plastered through the press aswell I seem to recall. On fairness, I don't think that is fair. Our visas fees are subsidising other things / services / fees or whatever.

[andy222]

Thats another thing I want to bring up the ECO in the philippines whoever it is is a disgrace.

[lastlid]

All the evidence one needs is in the document here....2nd page...written by Damian Green...
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...s-feb-2012.pdf

He also has openly said that some visas are charged over the cost....so they aren't hiding it.



"Fees will increase by only 2 per cent in the majority of cases, but there will be higher increases on certain routes." I.E. the family routes....

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...-fees-proposed


It was plastered through the press aswell I seem to recall. On fairness, I don't think that is fair. Our visas fees are subsidising other things / services / fees or whatever.

Take a printout of that Andy (you were asking for supporting documents).

[Arthur Little]

And the exhorbitant visa fees that are twice the amount it costs to process them.

AND yet ... FREE of charge to partners of *non-British Europeans exercising *THEIR so-called "Treaty Rights"!!!

[lastlid]

Thats another thing I want to bring up the ECO in the philippines whoever it is is a disgrace.

Yes. The mistakes Andy. Cant organise a few beers in a brewery.

[andy222]

Take a printout of that Andy (you were asking for supporting documents).

I will do Ian.