Only really with agricultural economies, slavery hasn't really been very effective, cost wise, when it comes to an industrialised work force. Turns out, providing housing, food and education for workers is an expensive business. Plus you've also got to be wary of revolts, which means the more you educate them, the better life you have to offer.

Even when it comes to fairly middling management work - You actually have a situation now where the state and the individual pick up the cost of educating workers for you.

Its arguable that a lot of people working in low income work would technically be better off as slave owned workers in previous times - Certainly when you look at the era of the industrial revolution.

I now live in Lewisham. Used to live in Cambridge and did so when I joined HOL hence the name. If you're from Stirling I have no idea what it's like so can't comment. Lewisham however I like and feel has benefited from immigration and from inward immigration into London in general, like the majority of places where immigrants have settled in the UK in numbers. The places most tolerant of immigration are those most directly impacted by it. Public accounts also show that immigration has been a significant net benefit to the economy, not to mention public services. The issues of under-funding and overcrowding, and unemployment and national policy issues created and exacerbated by consecutive governments' failure to invest in education, services and infrastructure and made significantly worse by poorly handled monetary policy (QE) and fiscal policy (austerity).

My point about Nuttall was his use of casual lies in public about himself. My comment was only meant to reflect on him and his party.

They used fear and lies about immigration to win votes. See insert.

The GE has claimed it's first scalp already. Alan Johnson will not stand for re-election in his constituency. I suspect he knows which way the wind is blowing.

It's a good point but I'm not sure it is accurate.

Britain during slavery wasn't just agricultural and many worked in rich people's homes...no doubt you are thinking of the crop pickers. Also, you only have to take the number of slaves you need so the net benefits are there.

Also who says that you have to provide good 'housing, food and education'. You only need just enough to keep them alive and able to do their work. Good provision didn't happen through most of slavery...what you need is good enforcement.

I think the point still stands....when you take the ethics out of it...slavery, while being completely disgusting...is very profitable.

Some countries only banned it a few years ago and in many it still goes on.

Edited by Stirlingsays (18 Apr 2017 4.19pm)

He makes a lot of good points.

Out of interest; when was the last time you lived in London? And what just it that immigration has done to damage your town so badly?