More immigrants crossing the Channel

I don’t think there would be the complaints about our foreign aid budget if we were convinced that the not inconsiderable sums were being put to good use, instead of lining the pockets of corrupt dictators.

Then of course there are the seemingly incessant wars in the Middle East which no amount of extra aid would help.

The potential problem of very many millions and millions of people descending not just on us but Europe as a whole is a problem which can’t be ignored.

Maybe the UK needs to stop supplying the arms that are destoring these countries,until they do then morally they are as liable as the people who fire them

Bleeding hearts do not provide support for refugees, ordinary working people do by paying tax. For over ten years austerity has been imposed on the nation. Austerity creating tremendous hardship for families and individuals, resulting in the need for Food Banks and a lack of affordable housing. In addition, the cost of bailing-out banks and now the economic crisis of supporting all in need as a result of Covid 19. Who designated Britain as “Saviour of the World”? This country owes its finite resources to providing for the needs of its own people until poverty in any form a thing of the past. “Charity Begins at Home”!

sparklingsilver28

Bleeding hearts do not provide support for refugees, ordinary working people do by paying tax. For over ten years austerity has been imposed on the nation. Austerity creating tremendous hardship for families and individuals, resulting in the need for Food Banks and a lack of affordable housing. In addition, the cost of bailing-out banks and now the economic crisis of supporting all in need as a result of Covid 19. Who designated Britain as “Saviour of the World”? This country owes its finite resources to providing for the needs of its own people until poverty in any form a thing of the past. “Charity Begins at Home”!

Where do people get all this nonsense from?

Believe it or not, the entire refugee population of the world is not homing in on the UK. Other countries actually take far more than we do; even countries of much the same size.

We can easily absorb the few thousands who are granted asylum in Britain.

The state does not have finite resources...

The 'taxpayer' does not support them.

Taxes don't fund spending; the state is able to create as much money as it needs and it is a political choice to impose austerity on the country.

The same as it is a political choice to leave asylum seekers to starve to death... The state could support them without any problems if it had a mind to it.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Charity might begin at home, but certainly shouldn’t end there!!

Those who want to discourage the number of refugees and trafficked people should suggest a workable long term solution. “Sending them back” is not an effective strategy, We could do far more to tighten up employment practices, ID checks on visas etc which are shambolic in this country. Most migrants aren’t arriving in small boats btw. We also need to cooperate internationally to root out trafficking gangs, identify areas of the world that need international help and ensure that aid reaches the people most at risk. We also need a coordinated approach on tackling climate change and the arms trade. These should be our priorities, rather than thinking a few people in toy boats are the enemy.

The phrase ‘bleeding hearts’ is commonly used to denigrate anyone who has sympathy for others in a worse situation than ourselves. It is used by those who have no compassion but want to paint those who do in a bad light.

It’s a difficult problem. I agree with vegansrock in that we need a much more coordinated approach with other countries. The traffickers are ruthless and sending people out in those little dinghies, having charged them a lot of money for the privilege is really appalling. France and Britain need to work together to stop it, and if that costs more money, so be it.

Unfortunately the tragedy of brexit has made it less likely that the UK and France will work together, on this or anything else, as well in the future. Just another problem to add to the list.

news.sky.com/story/banksy-funds-pink-boat-to-help-save-refugees-in-mediterranean-sea-12058315

Ok it’s not the Channel, but it’s interesting

Bleeding hearts those who urge Britain to feed the world while failing to recognise responsibility for those in need on its doorstep.

Perhaps no surprise when illiterate of where public funding comes from.

“ Perhaps no surprise when illiterate of where public funding comes from.”. Don’t understand

I vote sparlingsilver28 for Prime Minister. The bleeding hearts have plenty to say but offer no practical solutions or cash of their own towards solving these problems! Perhaps the answer is for them to volunteer a room or two in their own houses.

sparklingsilver28

Bleeding hearts those who urge Britain to feed the world while failing to recognise responsibility for those in need on its doorstep.

Perhaps no surprise when illiterate of where public funding comes from.

Well that’s just nasty.

I think The Bleeding Hearts are just virtual signalling that they are so virtuous and kind hearted whilst in real life do absolutely nothing to help anyone but it makes then feel oh so much better to think they superior to ordinary people who are concerned about future generations because of overcrowding of our small island, concerns re school places, housing, jobs etc.

Firecracker we NEED immigrants thats a FACT .Many of those asylum seekers are highly qualified and want to work ..The good old UK "HOME OFFICE" wont let them work ,the situation with the young woman who died isn't just tragic its criminal.The "4 star" hotels are often hovels ,the one in central glasgow had bars on windows ,food was basic at best ,most of the immigrants lived on chips or rice ..hardly quality in anyones books.The detention centres are a disgrace .The government Westminster I hasten to add agency that "looks after" these desperate people are fampus for dragging them from their beds in the middle of the night against not only their will but that of the communities around them .
Where they are welcomed and supported they do well many have small businesses within months and are an active and welcome part of the community ...as it should be .No one should be applauding WM 's treatment of these poor souls ,its inhumane and unjust .

Firecracker123

I think The Bleeding Hearts are just virtual signalling that they are so virtuous and kind hearted whilst in real life do absolutely nothing to help anyone but it makes then feel oh so much better to think they superior to ordinary people who are concerned about future generations because of overcrowding of our small island, concerns re school places, housing, jobs etc.

Unfortunate post!

MaizieD
If your reference ^ leave asylum seeker to starve to death^ is alluding to the death of Mercy Baguma there is more to the story. She came from a wealthy Uganda family but unfortunately suffered with mental health and alcohol addiction. Her family are horrified that she didn't ask for money.
If this wasn't who you meant, I apologise.

These people can't even look for work until their paperwork is in order---which is down to the Home Office, working at a snails pace. It'll take months to clear the backlog probably let alone those who've just arrived.

Firecracker123

I think The Bleeding Hearts are just virtual signalling that they are so virtuous and kind hearted whilst in real life do absolutely nothing to help anyone but it makes then feel oh so much better to think they superior to ordinary people who are concerned about future generations because of overcrowding of our small island, concerns re school places, housing, jobs etc.

‘Do absolutely nothing...’? ‘Virtue signalling’? ‘Think they are superior?’

You know nothing about the people who don’t agree with you in this thread. This is just a rather unpleasant rant.

Well said geekesse. The right wing posters never hold back from telling us what we think or what our motivations are but they know nothing. (nothing that they did not read in the Express/ Daily Mail/Telegarph/Sun)

Is it impossible to express compasdion and care for fellow human beings in distress without someone bandying, what feels likea right wing insult, the phrase "virtue signalling"? It seems to be used by people wishing to divert attention from their own inward looking, selfish and uncaring attitudes.

Some of the comments here are simply rude, offensive and nonsensical. "Bleeding Hearts" it is alleged do nothing to help "our own people" . Evidence for that please? I suspect I could be accused of being a bleeding heart virtue signaller by some of those posters. I spent 40 years helping "our own people" in a paid capacity but also a fair chunk of voluntary contributions over 50 years.
Thanks PECS for suggesting that 'virtue signalling' seems to be used by people wishing to divert attention from their own inward looking, selfish and uncaring attittudes.

Virtual Signalling example

To take a conspicuous but essentially useless action ostensibly to support a good cause but actually to show off how much more moral you are than everybody else.

Fred: I see George has changed his profile picture to show his support for refugees.
Barbara: Has he donated money or time? Is he giving English lessons? Is he making a room available?
Fred: No, no, he's just virtue signalling.