London: Nigel Figgis is doing well. The real estate business is booming, he can afford his own flat in Islington in central London, and is just back from a “long-haul” holiday in Jamaica with Cassie, a leggie girlfriend whose ability to make intelligent conversation is not one of her accentuated assets in the West End of London.
They are raving about the food, the sun, the resort, how nice Jamaicans are. Friendly. So nice, those Jamaicans.
Drury Lane and the surrounding Covent Garden district is hopping. The theatres will be starting their evening performances shortly — War Horse, the Lion King, Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown, Mamma Mia — stories from around the world.
“Now we can do something about all of the immigrants coming in to the UK,” Figgis offers. “Do you know the effect immigrants have on house prices? Once an area or a street changes its demographic make-up, property prices take a hit. That’s no use for property owners who are trying to protect their return on investment. At least now with a strong Conservative government in power. David Cameron can go to Europe and tell them they we’re not taking any more.”
Isn’t that a bit unrealistic to suggest the UK can dictate terms to the European Union?
“Not at all,” says. “We are British. We have stood on our own before. We have the pound. We don’t need Brussels telling us what to do. And we certainly don’t need immigrants coming in and taking our jobs.”
Are there many immigrants in property letting?
“No,” he says, distracted by Cassie stroking his neck in admiration at his knowledge on world affairs. “One of my colleagues is of Indian origin. But he’s English.”
So if Britain holds a referendum on remaining or leaving the EU, he would vote to leave?
“Yes, of course,” he says. “Britain stood alone against Europe in 1939, we are an island nation. We are not European.”
So London property prices are doing well?
“Yes, we have seen rates increase five per cent over the past year,” he beams, adjusting his Ray Ban-framed spectacles for a more studious and knowledgeable look. “There is no sign of softening and the election result augurs well for continued growth.”
Another stroke from Cassie.
“Arabs?” he stops to think. “Yes. Excellent clients. They bring real wealth and prestige. High net worth individuals. Serious heavyweights when it comes to adding return on investment on our books. Qataris, Saudis, Kuwaitis, Lebanese — even the Russians. They have a tremendous positive impact on property prices and that growth is sustainable.”
So would they continue to invest and come to the UK if it was a small island state beyond the European Union?
“My dear chap,” he says. “This is London. Who wouldn’t want to live in London? We are a financial centre, culture, the arts, great shopping, history, heritage. We are the centre of the world when we had the empire. All of that has made us what we are today.”
All of the immigrants from former British colonies who flocked to the UK to be treated as less than equals?
“Well, not quite,” he says. “That’s a bit harsh.”
Cassie is bored. She tugs his arm.
“We having Indian food now,” he says, making an apology to leave. “Best Punjabi food is around the corner. It’s really authentic.”
And the staff are all immigrants.
