Long standing immigrant residents in the UK are urging us all to think differently about the current immigration rhetoric that's erupting from political parties as they release a heart-felt love song to show how they feel about being forgotten by UK governments. The song is called, 'WITH Love 2015 UK', and stands for 'Why Is This Happening' - it's a bewildered cry for help from hard-working immigrants who have lived and raised their families in the UK for many years. The ballad, which will be released during election week on 4 May, is at the heart of a campaign that aims to send a clear message out to the UK: please don't use immigrants as scapegoats for Britain's problems and please don't believe the divisive rhetoric of politicians. Britain is our home and we love it.
"All we really want is for the place that we call home to love us as much as we love them," says Lucie Wenigerova, a Czech film-maker who's lived and raised her family in the UK for over 20 years.
Jump back 12 months to the European Elections of last year. Lucie, a mum and resident in North London, found herself over-whelmed and deeply moved by the immigrant messaging that was being spouted by the political parties. London had always been the place that Lucie called 'home' for nearly quarter of a decade, but suddenly she felt herself being pushed to the sidelines and wondering whether her home town really loved her as much as she loved them.
After a moment of tears in the shower, Lucie decided to stand up and fight for her love, not by shouting back, but by writing a love song to the UK. So, with the help of
a group of friends, the ballad was written one sunny evening in 2014 and was produced and composed by songwriter Alan D. Boyd (BBC Day of The Triffids). Two legendary session musicians played on the demo: Ray Russell on guitar (David Bowie, Tina Turner) and Mo Foster on base (Jeff Beck, Phil Collins), with the beautiful Polish singer, Pola, on vocals. Discovered by well-known producer Robin Millar (Everything But The Girl, Sade), Pola is not only a great singer, she's also an animal rights campaigner.
"This is our love song to the UK, the place that we've called home for the majority of our lives," states Lucie. "We understand the pressures and problems brought on by an open Europe, but there are thousands of immigrants who have been integrated into UK society for decades. We've built homes, lives and families here, we see ourselves as being part of the British society. We want Britain to know that the current political rhetoric is breaking our hearts. We hope this song will help you to love us as much as we love you."
Lucie and the team see the song as a love anthem to Great Britain and are aiming to push 'WITH Love 2015 UK' high into the charts during the run up to the election.
