More immigrants crossing the Channel

Things are rarely what they seem. U.K. = bad EU = best.

Apparently the EU is building ‘Fortress Europe’’. Dublin is brutally enforced despite massive overcrowding in Greek and Italian camps. Leaders have called for offshore asylum processing centres to be set up, which, if established, would mean the EU having a more “Australian” migration policy than Britain.

As recently as March, thousands of refugees and migrants were violently repelled by border guards as they tried to enter Greece. Despite deaths during the clashes, the Greeks were praised as Europe’s “shield” by the president of the European Commission, as she toured the land-border with Turkey.

More right wing distraction from the rising number of Covid cases. Why do we always fall for their smoke and mirrors?

Well, well, well...control is what was wanted...hmmn...sometimes you do get what you vote for....not so easy in practice though is it. Just hope no lives are lost at sea

Assylum is a place of safety, many migrants begin as Assylum seekers for whatever reason, they can do this in their first neutral country. If they come from Syria they can do that in Turkey or Jordan as well as others, then they can return and rebuild their country when peace returns.

If they travel further they become Economic Migrants seeking a better life. I have every sympathy with individual stories but as there are many millions that would travel to Europe if they could I cannot justify an open door policy.

A large number of migrants want to come to the UK because they often have good English and many have friends and family here already

The French will want paying in euros mind - as the £ is sinking

If we ask our neighbour to invest in doing work that helps us, we should subsidise or pay our neighbour for that work. thats my understanding of the relationship between the UK and France.
If nothing else, it seems as though the increasing migrant crisis is reminding us about the ongoing connections between countries with links to France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the UK and other Northern European countries and colonialism. Some people still don't understand the links that lead immigrants to head for particular countries.

Good post maddyone.
France has tried to absorb thousands of immigrants from her old colonial territories and has experienced many problems.
Intergration not always possible.
Until I read some more about this I hadn't realised how huge France's colonial empire was. Not as big as ours though.

biba70 Wed 12-Aug-20 13:21:19

"I wonder what is going to be worst- a disastrous No Deal Brexit - or the above."

The whole world will suffer as a consequence of this pandemic but only the UK will suffer more because of the self-inflicted idiocy of brexit.

WHy is Priti Patel arguing with Ben and Jerry and being quite rude about the price of their ice cream ?

It’s a difficult problem, not just for the UK but also many western countries. It’s clearly unsafe for people to cross the Channel in dinghies and consequently both England and France have some responsibility towards these people. France seems to have a much harder attitude towards migrants and perhaps that’s one reason why they prefer to come to England. Incidentally France have received millions of pounds from Britain over the years to try to stop the migrants from getting across the Channel. They have asked for another 36 million just recently, therefore I don’t think the idea that France won’t help now we’re out of the EU holds water. We’re already out, but France has said it will help but needs more money. It’s clearly costly to take preventive measures and the French probably see this as a British problem.

My own opinion is that France is happy to get rid of the migrants. They don’t want them. But they’ll put a few preventative measures in place so long as Britain pays for them eg they put a massive fence around the lorry park, and that’s why the migrants have turned to dinghies, it’s very difficult to get on a lorry now apparently.

I wonder what is going to be worst- a disastrous No Deal Brexit - or the above.

I read in one article there were also a few from Kuwait on one of the last dingies to arrive. Which used to be one of the richest countries in the world.
Eldest son and family lived there since 1995 and left last year - we had guessed that conditions there weren't so good.

Yes, European countries do have severe economic problem due to the virus. Syria, Eritrea, the Democratic Congo, Angola etc etc all have severe economic problems, fighting, war, rape and other horror along with the virus.

People keep comparing the "luxury" that immigrants enjoy with the poverty pensioners live in. My MiL only had a basic pension because she wouldn't apply for pension credit (She didn't want the government to know about her money!) she got her rent and council tax paid and lived quite comfortably on the pension.

ps but it's happening, and the question is what should we and the Govt. do about it? Should France help more?
Given that most european countries have severe economic problems due to the virus.

"Why can't men / people stop fighting each other? "
Exactly Jane, but they'll say it's their testosterone, they can't help it .

When will enough be enough? Why do people want to go West not East? Why can't men people stop fighting each other? So many questions.

What nonsense to suggest all posts have to be in agreement or they get reported.
I've no idea who/what was reported but if the posts broke GN guidelines they'll be removed. Whats difficult to understand about that.

To repeat that the people arriving in rubber boats are all 'fit young men, so economic migrants' just confirms a lack of understanding, or a determined refusal to accept that some of those young men will bare the scars of torture. Will have been sent on the perilous journey to Europe with all resources their family can pool, in the hope of sanctuary. The hope that sanctuary may be available to the young men's parents etc. Can any of us say we wouldn't do that if we were in Syria facing death daily

The lack of humanity from some posters about the plight of those fleeing war is nauseating. It's reminding me of Sunday school and those parables we were taught as life lessons. Good Samaritan anyone?

Well said , Silver Lining.

We do not know the why or what about these people, but it shouldn't matter. They are in desperate need, looking for help, for compassion and some on here would deny them that . Shame on you.

That's not what happens though is it. GN has a set of guidelines if you break them they will delete it. They dont delete for disagreeing they delete for whatever guideline you broke. They are a company and can set any guidelines they like, same as a taxi company can ask you to leave if you say something rude to the driver.

I haven’t reported anyone’s posts so don’t blame me.

10:02Urmstongran

All comments need to be in agreement it seems Firecracker123 or they get reported. Makes me wonder ‘why bother’. ?

Don't let the buggers win Urmstongran

Fire cracker You have no way of knowing anything about the people are in those boats, and have no clue about their story. Asylum seekers are not economic migrants but are people forced to leave war ravaged countries where everything has broken down and people are under threat for their lives.
They leave everything including family, behind and take only what they can carry. It’s desperation and fear which forces them to leave.
yes we are a small island but we take in very few in comparison to other countries.
For shame, we are lucky enough never to have been in their shoes, but had we been maybe we would be forced to do as they are doing. Where is the compassion where is the empathy, these are people, just like us.

All comments need to be in agreement it seems Firecracker123 or they get reported. Makes me wonder ‘why bother’. ?

That thread was deleted because it was talking about trolls it's a rule on both MN and GN that they are pretty hot on.