The Sunday before Christmas and my local nail bar was heaving as the talons of the neighbourhood aimed for a final buff and polish before the festivities began.
Amid the fumes of acrylic glue, clouds of nail dust, and X Factor on the TV, hands were held, filed, massaged and painted by young Vietnamese some of whom, we now know, made it across the world into London in the back of a truck, just like the 39 who aren't here. All wanting a better life: a better health care system; a more comfortable income; somewhere their kids can have a better life.
Recently returning from research in the south of France with British migrants and their responses to Brexit, I was struck again by the repeating themes, the same drivers: all wanting a better life; a better health care system; somewhere to have a more comfortable life on a small pension; somewhere where the kids can develop skills they need for a global future. But with their freedom of movement, no chance of ending up suffocating in the back of a lorry.
Common desires, uncommon humanity.
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