So-called ‘migrant crisis’

mutual suspicion of one another which was attributed to the UK and its claims for an empire.

Oh dear.

---*and that's violence towards the UK. They hate and detest our nation*

I am well aware of the animosity between Iran and Iraq but that is not connected with your assertion that "they" hate our nation.

Chewbscca’s points about the pressure on European countries as a result of the numbers fleeing war/famine putting huge pressures on housing, health? Education etc are well made.
I acknowledge I got drawn into a polarised discussion. I do struggle with the moral and ethical issues involved in attempts to defend our services. I acknowledge some seeking refuge haven’t been honest.
To answer some of cheewbaccAs points. This country can afford to
Invest in social housing, public services and to offer refuge to some seeking safety. I don’t see how it can be legitimately argued they should stay in the first safe country they pass through. Who would ever reach the UK? I’d like to see an international effort, agreement from all countries to take an agreed number. We’d
Need to invest in Europe wide border force, agree criteria etc. It doesn’t seem impossible

The hatred goes back centuries when this country and those of Persian origin had a mutual suspicion of one another which was attributed to the UK and its claims for an empire.

Latterly, with the help of Russia during the second world war we invaded Iran, then after the war we overthrew the leader of Iran to which Churchill was then our leader who sanctioned this.

Then Iran always felt that Iraq was being supported by us in the West during the Iran/Iraq war.

Do you get the picture ??

I have worked with refugees all my life: Viet-namese, Ugandan, Kurdish, Somali and many more. My personal experience is that they are wonderful people just like you and me, who fear for their lives and children.
Given the chance, they are hard working and deeply loyal to the country which gave them refuge.

That we have begun to see them as burdens, even enemies is a direct result of misinformation and downright lies in the gutter press.
The very words 'asylum' and 'refuge' have almost been erased as meaning 'a safe place'. We use the expression 'asylum seeker' as an insult which shows how far we've been sucked into the false propaganda machine.

If your immediate neighbour was attacked, terrified and homeless, would you help her/him?

What's the difference?

Chew, your points are worthy of discussion. I apologise for my passion. Of course the UK cannot indefinitely accept more and more people without proper support.

I'll leave you to it then. I thought this was a discussion, not an insult hurling competition.

Ellen, yes

Yeah thick.....thick to tell us that hundreds of millions of people hate this country. How so?

Why, have you ?

I would like to know what direct face to face experience you have with Sudanese people?

This is not baiting. You have made statements about lifestyle, women and aspirations.....all well and good. I would like to know how you have arrived at these conclusions.

Tut tut-------thick ? vile ? And your abuse still stands ? Mmm

I have no interest in being baited into replying to two posters on this particular thread or any thread for that matter, because no matter what reply one gives, it's never enough. I note that it isn't just me, as I've seen bait (disguised as innocent questions 'out of interest') thrown to some others and their responses ( or not) are up to them. Meantime, I've no intention of feeding a baiters appetite. Let them think what they like. I can spot a troublemaker a mile away.

I don't want to enter into the mudslinging arena as to who is the more "left wing/racist/ bigotted/vile human beings" insults that are being hurled with abandon on this thread, but I would be very grateful if anyone, on either side of the divide, could explain to me the practicalities of accommodating more asylum seekers. There were 33,000 people with claims for asylum, as at the end of 2016. So many too many of them are living in squalid conditions in poor areas of the UK. If we're unable to accommodate those, how can we cope with more? Where do they live? We already have a serious housing shortage. Many have serious mental and physical health conditions our NHS is buckling under the strain already. Italy, Austria, Malta and Greece have all drawn their bridges up and won't accept any more. So where do we go from here? With the best will, and the greatest heart for those less fortunate than ourselves, surely these practical issues are worth addressing aren't they?

Omg! How can anyone write a smiley- face awful comment after reading that post?

You see petra, your little smiley face doesn't really cut it, nor your snide comment.

I am not on the ceiling.

A lot of people who are destitute don't have bank accounts.

Do you think people in rural Darfur have bank accounts?

My first hand experience of refugees and asylum seekers has been of women and children who managed to get out against the odds. The women have been holding their children together against all the odds. t'he children have loved this country and without exception were working hard and achieving well academically, socially and in sports/drama etc.
One family from an African country achieved asylum. One parent was a University lecturer, the other a teacher, one daughter a pharmacist, another a doctor and the 3rd training locally to be a physiotherapist. Meanwhile, the Uni Lecturer was working in a shame to help children who arrived with no English get ready for school, the other working as a foster carer, providing a truly excellent service.

I could write the book. No doubt I'd be accused of being a left wing do gooder with no idea of the Real World.

oldbatty
When you come down off the ceiling could you tell me what's 'vile' about mentioning bank accounts.

Now comes the tricky part....no I think thats was when they ran through town to see their friends and school mates heads on fence posts

or when they were tied up and watched their siblings being killed ( I will spare you more) and their mother raped

Or was the really tricky part in the rubber dingy " My friend is die, no water"

For Gods Sake show some humanity.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

notanan2
Just thinking of the practicalities of being an illegal in a foreign country, not speaking or reading the language.
If they did, why not apply for asylum in France.
Let's assume that they can do neither. What website do they search? Where have they got enough euros to pay for it?
I assume they have cleared their homeland bank accounts out.
Now comes the tricky part.
'If' the inflatable is in a marina luck is on their side. If it's in someone's garden/garage they will need a trailer, then they will need a car to transport the trailer.
It's not as easy as contacting 'John' on eBay or gumtree.

Just because someone expresses concern over ILLEGAL immigrants does not make them racist. I have said, several times, that I have no objection to anyone coming to UK, all I ask is that they do so legally.

Please Gabriella, tell us about your experiences with people from the Sudan? You seem to have some knowledge, don't hold back.

I agree Iam and suggest we make our feelings very clear to such posters either by continuing to address them directly or reporting each and every one, time and time again until GNHQ deletes them or realises that many of us seriously object to them!

The racist and bigoted comments on this thread are distressing. Heaven help us all if older women can take such a negative and in fact, bigoted, view towards entire nations. "They hate and detest us" - what all of them? Those kind of comments feel like transference or projection to me.