Gransnet forums

News & politics

Absolute chaos!

(134 Posts)
CvD66 Wed 09-Mar-22 18:07:54

From tomorrow a visa centre for Ukrainian refugees will be set up in Lille. It will be a ‘pop-up’. It will not offer appointments or walk-in access for those seeking to come to UK. The most vulnerable cases in Calais will be taken there for biometrics checks. The Home Office will NOT publicise its location and capacity will be small.
Anyone turning up at Calais will be told to go to Paris or Brussels to fill out the correct forms - if you can get an appointment
In Brussels, Ukrainians seeking UK visas will find the embassy has outsourced this work to a private company (a mate of a Tory MP??) and it closes at 3pm. First find it - it is at the back of the station!
Families with UK visa biometrics checks done in Rzeszów (Poland) are being told to travel 200 miles to Warsaw to collect their visas stamp for their passport.
Meanwhile Patel is contacting the Irish to oppose their refugee policy with the abject fear that some of those Ukranian refugees might make it to UK.
All this being allegedly to stop Russian terrorists entering UK. Don’t worry - such terrorists don’t need visas - they come in as tourists and do their worse - evidence Salisbury poisoning.
In the words of James O’Brien (LBC): you - the UK - voted for this and this government intends to make it as difficult as possible for ANY refugees to enter UK!

Framilode Thu 10-Mar-22 09:27:51

Sarah Vine in the Daily Mail has a strongly worded article saying how ashamed she feels. She also sets out the difficulties Ukranians have to go through in order to apply for a visa.
The Mail editorial is also calling on the government to open up the process.
The Mail on the right side of history for once.
Maybe, the government might start taking notice if even the DM is saying how badly and cruelly this is being handled.
What a government. I am deeply ashamed.

Hetty58 Thu 10-Mar-22 09:31:49

I'm sad to say that I expected exactly this from the current bunch of clowns we have in government. Shame on everyone who voted them in!

volver Thu 10-Mar-22 09:32:36

They voted on the basis that faced with two unpleasant parties you vote for the least unpleasant.

Wait, what? People looked at the Conservatives and decided they were the least unpleasant of the two main parties? The Conservatives? shock

Whitewavemark2 Thu 10-Mar-22 09:48:35

It is called populism. It is how this sort of government behaves. Remember Trump? Just the same.

I am hoping very much that the traditional Tory party grows a spine and takes on the right wing. I am sure that many, many Tories would breath a huge sigh of relief if they could be got rid of.

maddyone Thu 10-Mar-22 09:49:06

vegansrock

Michael Gove taking over the responsibility of Ukrainian refugees. That says volumes about the competence of Patel.

I haven’t heard that, but assuming it’s correct, I think we might see an improvement in the situation, well I hope so anyway.

maddyone Thu 10-Mar-22 09:51:38

I thought people voted for this government to ‘get Brexit done.’
I voted remain before anyone piles in on me, but the above is why people voted Conservative in my opinion.

Lucca Thu 10-Mar-22 09:53:59

Just coming back briefly having been unjustly battered last night and told my hatred of fellow countrymen was “vomit inducing”. to say i never said I was ashamed to be British, ever.

Coastpath Thu 10-Mar-22 09:54:13

From what I read frequently on here maddyone I believe you are right.

Breaking news - Roman Abramovich sanctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60690362

MaizieD Thu 10-Mar-22 09:56:32

Zoejory

But he also says that they fled, MaizieD

It's a rather flattering article to Priti Patel and her family.

Anyway, it's just a word and it means that much to you I'll not mention it further.

They 'fled' in the 1960s. When they could still take money out of the country and could organise a relatively orderly withdrawal. They were not refugees leaving the country at short notice with only their personal belongings.

The point I am trying hard to make is that Priti Patel's family did not have the same experience as the Ukranian refugees; which probably accounts for her lack of empathy with them.

Of course it''s a flattering article. She had made a significant achievement and there is absolutely no doubt that on the whole the Kenyan Asians worked hard and made a success of their new lives in the UK. Their contribution to the UK has been exemplary.

It's just a shame that we had no idea of her potential for nastiness...

maddyone Thu 10-Mar-22 09:57:16

Lucca flowers

Lucca Thu 10-Mar-22 10:05:26

Thank you maddy

MaizieD Thu 10-Mar-22 10:07:00

maddyone

I thought people voted for this government to ‘get Brexit done.’
I voted remain before anyone piles in on me, but the above is why people voted Conservative in my opinion.

And they now use it as a get out clause to absolve themselves of responsibility for voting for the worst UK government in living memory...

GrannyGravy13 Thu 10-Mar-22 10:07:53

Lucca I answered your post, I didn’t feel it was insulting to those of us who had voted for this Government.

Don’t let the ba***rds get you down ?

dragonfly46 Thu 10-Mar-22 10:10:34

Sorry Lucca that you got the flack - it should have been me.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 10-Mar-22 10:11:28

MaizieD

maddyone

I thought people voted for this government to ‘get Brexit done.’
I voted remain before anyone piles in on me, but the above is why people voted Conservative in my opinion.

And they now use it as a get out clause to absolve themselves of responsibility for voting for the worst UK government in living memory...

No excuses from me, I voted Conservative, firstly because our constituency MP is very good, secondly because I didn’t want Mr.Corbyn as PM, thirdly I voted leave.

FannyCornforth Thu 10-Mar-22 10:15:30

I see that Freya has had her post taken down.
Lucca don’t worry, it was obvious to all that is was an utterly stupid and unwarranted insult

MaizieD Thu 10-Mar-22 10:16:49

GrannyGravy13

MaizieD

maddyone

I thought people voted for this government to ‘get Brexit done.’
I voted remain before anyone piles in on me, but the above is why people voted Conservative in my opinion.

And they now use it as a get out clause to absolve themselves of responsibility for voting for the worst UK government in living memory...

No excuses from me, I voted Conservative, firstly because our constituency MP is very good, secondly because I didn’t want Mr.Corbyn as PM, thirdly I voted leave.

It's OK, GG13. You're one of the honourable ones grin

It's the ones who claim they 'lent' the tories their vote to 'get Brexit done' who annoy me.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 10-Mar-22 10:19:44

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

MaizieD

maddyone

I thought people voted for this government to ‘get Brexit done.’
I voted remain before anyone piles in on me, but the above is why people voted Conservative in my opinion.

And they now use it as a get out clause to absolve themselves of responsibility for voting for the worst UK government in living memory...

No excuses from me, I voted Conservative, firstly because our constituency MP is very good, secondly because I didn’t want Mr.Corbyn as PM, thirdly I voted leave.

It's OK, GG13. You're one of the honourable ones grin

It's the ones who claim they 'lent' the tories their vote to 'get Brexit done' who annoy me.

I just wish the current cabinet and PM would come to their senses and let the Ukrainian women, children and elderly into the U.K. surely it’s possible?

Lucca Thu 10-Mar-22 10:37:22

FannyCornforth

I see that Freya has had her post taken down.
Lucca don’t worry, it was obvious to all that is was an utterly stupid and unwarranted insult

I DID NOT Report it. I actually wanted it left there for people to see!

Iam64 Thu 10-Mar-22 10:42:56

Lucca, as Freya took her post down, seems no one reported it. It’s also been quoted on several posts, so she can’t hide.
GrannyGravy13 - you’re right, it must be possible. I’ve written again to our Conservative MP. He’s been visible in his support, actively involved with our Ukrainian centre.
Maybe things will change as the DMail is on the case. Sarah Vine hitting hard

FannyCornforth Thu 10-Mar-22 10:58:18

I said that she had removed her own post Lucca
I didn’t say anything about you reporting it

Whitewavemark2 Thu 10-Mar-22 11:12:29

MaizieD

Zoejory

But he also says that they fled, MaizieD

It's a rather flattering article to Priti Patel and her family.

Anyway, it's just a word and it means that much to you I'll not mention it further.

They 'fled' in the 1960s. When they could still take money out of the country and could organise a relatively orderly withdrawal. They were not refugees leaving the country at short notice with only their personal belongings.

The point I am trying hard to make is that Priti Patel's family did not have the same experience as the Ukranian refugees; which probably accounts for her lack of empathy with them.

Of course it''s a flattering article. She had made a significant achievement and there is absolutely no doubt that on the whole the Kenyan Asians worked hard and made a success of their new lives in the UK. Their contribution to the UK has been exemplary.

It's just a shame that we had no idea of her potential for nastiness...

No excuse for Patels lack of empathy.

Millions of us have never experienced what the Ukrainians are going through but can totally empathise with them.

Patel is a nasty piece of work.

volver Thu 10-Mar-22 11:15:54

flowers for Lucca

And I agree that GG13 is one of the good guys. More flowers

Callistemon21 Thu 10-Mar-22 11:23:19

MaizieD

Callistemon21

Similar to S Rodesia (now Zimbabwe) annodomini.

People were leaving over years, but were not allowed to take any money or goods out with them.

I'm not so sure about that, Callistemon

This is from a contemporary article (1968) on the subject

The panicked exodus of Asians trying to beat the deadline dealt the Kenyan economy a severe blow. Demand has dropped sharply along with heavy capital losses-- an average of 5000 pounds follows every Asian family that leaves Kenya

www.thecrimson.com/article/1968/4/24/asians-panic-pbkbenyas-asians-are-caught/

Obviously, £5,000 in 1968 was worth considerably more than now, 54 years later. Its equivalent value today would be about £75,000.

Do you have information that contradicts this story?

My friend left S Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) when she was a teenager but had left money in a bank account there plus an investment her mother had made for her and has never been able to access it. She didn't flee, she came over her to continue her education and wanted to go back at some point to her family over there.
A relative posted cash home to his mother in the UK, hoping it would get through before they left when the troubles were brewing.
Another friend, born in Kenya, had to leave with her parents, leaving behind their business and started their lives again here.

So only word of mouth but accurate information.

I don't know if anyone managed to get money out of the countries where troubles were brewing legally, but obviously some must have done.

Callistemon21 Thu 10-Mar-22 11:25:42

I don't know if anyone managed to get money out of the countries where troubles were brewing legally, but obviously some must have done.
Syntax!
I don't know if anyone managed to get money legally out of the countries where troubles were brewing