Reducing the reasons for mass migration

Dear Sir,

While reading Glynn Robinson's letter on the EU in last week's Chronicle, I wonder what sort of vision he has for the world.

There are certainly a host of challenges for individual countries as free movement allows people to pick their preferred abode.

However, for people to move there must be a certain level of dissatisfaction for where they are already living.

I propose that we put more resources into reducing the reasons for mass migration by increasing the quality of life in other countries.

Thankfully, all countries have their own strengths whether it is the wide open spaces, distinctive culture or warm climate that makes most people, given reasonable access to amenities happy to remain where they are.

Preventing people from migrating is in the end a self-defeating objective as when the will is strong enough, a means will be found.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Peter Hirst

Middlewich