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Lee Anderson, Conservative deputy chair says asylum seekers should ‘fuck off back to France’ if they don’t want to be housed on the Bobby Stockholm barge

(468 Posts)
Iam64 Tue 08-Aug-23 20:22:25

Alex Chalk the justice secretary described Anderson’s language as ‘salty’ but ‘not bigotry at all’ ‘his indignation is well placed’.

What is happening in our country when someone like Anderson is elevated then supported by our government

GrannyGravy13 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:15:46

MaizieD

^I have not said Labour are stupid MaizieD please do not misquote me.^

I didn't say that you had, GG13. And perhaps my answer should have been directed at Callistemon who asked what would happen if the small boats continues to arrive with people whose asylum application had been turned down.

Though you seemed to be agreeing with her, having quoted her post.

Wasn't it a bit obvious that these people could be immediately repatriated and didn't it seem to be implied that Labour hadn't thought that far?

It’s not that easy to repatriate though is it.

There are human rights lawyers fighting every case, if those refused leave to stay are in the community and not in secure accommodation it’s extremely easy to just disappear and work in the black economy.

The only difference that I have heard between the Labour and Conservative plans is that Labour will scrap the Rwanda plan, which I am in favour of.

Fleurpepper Wed 09-Aug-23 17:19:24

Are you in favour of scrapping, or in favour of the Rwanda plan?

Callistemon21 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:21:42

MaizieD

^I have not said Labour are stupid MaizieD please do not misquote me.^

I didn't say that you had, GG13. And perhaps my answer should have been directed at Callistemon who asked what would happen if the small boats continues to arrive with people whose asylum application had been turned down.

Though you seemed to be agreeing with her, having quoted her post.

Wasn't it a bit obvious that these people could be immediately repatriated and didn't it seem to be implied that Labour hadn't thought that far?

I didn't say that either, so don't misquote me, please.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:22:23

Fleurpepper

Are you in favour of scrapping, or in favour of the Rwanda plan?

I am in favour of scrapping the Rwanda plan.

MayBee70 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:26:01

scottie51

In my opinion Lee Anderson is an articulate clever man. I fully support his comments but then unlike some people I don't think the UK should be paying £6 million a day to support people who have entered our country illegally. If they want to claim asylum they should use the legal routes. It would be cheaper for them!

The 6 million includes part of our overseas aid budget that has already been reduced. So it’s money that has already been allocated. And a lot of it is being used to help Ukrainian people that have come here. For some reason this majority of people that allegedly agree with Anderson are ok with us helping one group of people but not another. I can’t for the life of me work out why that is hmm

Callistemon21 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:28:17

GrannyGravy13

Fleurpepper

Are you in favour of scrapping, or in favour of the Rwanda plan?

I am in favour of scrapping the Rwanda plan.

It is just totally ridiculous!

Callistemon21 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:32:57

Fleurpepper

Are you in favour of scrapping, or in favour of the Rwanda plan?

What would your plans be?

Is Switzerland handling this better than the UK as there were known to be a lot of problems there? Has the situation improved and, if so, what did they do differently.

It seem the plans here are less than ideal.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:33:34

MayBee70

scottie51

In my opinion Lee Anderson is an articulate clever man. I fully support his comments but then unlike some people I don't think the UK should be paying £6 million a day to support people who have entered our country illegally. If they want to claim asylum they should use the legal routes. It would be cheaper for them!

The 6 million includes part of our overseas aid budget that has already been reduced. So it’s money that has already been allocated. And a lot of it is being used to help Ukrainian people that have come here. For some reason this majority of people that allegedly agree with Anderson are ok with us helping one group of people but not another. I can’t for the life of me work out why that is hmm

Maybe because the Ukrainian’s who have fled an active war in their country are women, children and the elderly.

All men of fighting age are banned from leaving the country, not that they would they are bravely fighting for theirs and their countries freedom.

icanhandthemback Wed 09-Aug-23 17:41:25

I see no reason why any asylum seeker (whether they come in by plane or boat) should resist the Barge as they will be housed, fed and watered before their applications are dealt with. It isn't ideal but our homeless will often find they get less. If you are genuinely in need, for the most part, being kept warm and safe should be your overwhelming need. I am all for better means of processing claims, setting up claim centres abroad, etc and the lack of them should be decried but that is an entirely different issue than the accommodation.
As for the way the politician spoke; it beggars belief that a public figure should be so uncouth.

Trurider1 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:53:28

That is because you ar e a Labour Voter and that is it.

MaizieD Wed 09-Aug-23 17:55:36

Callistemon21

MaizieD

I have not said Labour are stupid MaizieD please do not misquote me.

I didn't say that you had, GG13. And perhaps my answer should have been directed at Callistemon who asked what would happen if the small boats continues to arrive with people whose asylum application had been turned down.

Though you seemed to be agreeing with her, having quoted her post.

Wasn't it a bit obvious that these people could be immediately repatriated and didn't it seem to be implied that Labour hadn't thought that far?

I didn't say that either, so don't misquote me, please.

Oh FGS.

I didn't say that either of you had said Labour was stupid. I asked if you thought Labour was stupid.

It's like Chinese whispers on this forum...

winterwhite Wed 09-Aug-23 18:00:30

Sazz1 (at 15.34). Double ensuite rooms? Maybe once upon a time - the photos I saw (BBC) showed two two-tier bunks to a room with very little space between them.

This govt could very well provide more housing for those on low incomes and do more for the homeless if it chose to do so. These constant 'comparisons' are beside the point.

maddyone Wed 09-Aug-23 18:01:58

Just to remind those who quote the Kinder Transport, the humanitarian plan which rescued Jewish children from Hitler’s gas chambers.
10,000 children came to the UK from several European countries to escape the Nazis. Children note, not their parents. Their parents weren’t allowed, sadly. Most of their parents were killed by the Nazis.
We currently have approximately 50,000, predominantly young men, in hotel accommodation. Young men!
There is the difference between the Kinder Transport and today’s migrants.
I don’t know, but maybe public opinion might be different if it was 10,000 children fleeing from certain death, to 50,000 young men, fleeing from we don’t know what, because most of them have thrown their documents away on the instructions of the traffickers.
Incidentally, Britain agreed to the 10,000 children’s arrival, as it agreed to the 150,000 people who have come from Hong Kong in the last few years, and as it agreed to the 163,000 people who came from Ukraine.
Britain is not a racist country.

westendgirl Wed 09-Aug-23 18:02:46

Just a interesting aside from Max Hastings (remember him , the doyen of the old tories ? )
"Our country does seem in the eyes of the world increasingly It is ridiculous. the right is running Britain, it's a terrifying sight. "
I think this was said on LBC. Food for thought perhaps for the die-hard the government can do no wrong brigade and I think that a lot of the attitudes displayed on this thread are more than reminiscent of the shades of Enoch Powell or the N.F.

varian Wed 09-Aug-23 18:03:09

This is the LIberal Democrats position on refugees.-

"We all want to see an end to dangerous crossings on small boats across the Channel, but this legislation will do nothing of the sort.

Instead, Conservative plans would see those fleeing war and persecution detained and deported.

It would cost the taxpayer huge sums of money and, far from cracking down on illegal trafficking gangs, punish those seeking safety in the UK.

It runs roughshod over international law, which confirms that asylum seekers should not be punished for how they arrive in a country.

Liberal Democrats know that the best way to stop these dangerous crossings is to provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for those that need it.

Our new policy, passed by members today at Conference, shows how we can do just that. It calls on the Government to:

Immediately scrap the Illegal Migration Bill.

Fix the broken asylum system by taking powers from the Home Office and establishing a new life.

Provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees from all countries, including:

An expanded, properly funded resettlement scheme.

A new scheme for unaccompanied child refugees.
Reuniting unaccompanied children in Europe with family in the UK.

Humanitarian visas to allow asylum seekers to travel the UK to proceed with their claims. "

Pippa22 Wed 09-Aug-23 18:04:01

Well I for one applaud Lee Anderson for speaking out. So he swore but said he was just frustrated with the barriers that keep being put in the way of a solution to people flooding into our tiny country unchecked.

I sen5 him an email saying I was pleased to see someone in the government speaking out and representing the many people who are fed up with so many people arriving and being supported by very expensive human rights lawyers. Whe know nothing about these arrivals history or of medical conditions. They are mostly men and if they are leaving dangerous countries aren’t they being cowards to leave the women and children vulnerable ?

foxie48 Wed 09-Aug-23 18:05:08

The time to process an asylum claim can be as little as a year but more likely up to three years. Oil and gas workers stay on board accommodation barges for as little as three weeks or up to a maximum of two months but normally more like a month. They are paid very well and it is their choice. The Bibby Stockholm was built for 200 not 500 to sleep on when not working. This is a very different situation than putting people there as a long term housing situation.
The govt has yet again successfully got people focused on how we house asylum seekers rather than the fact that they are presiding over yet another broken British system.

HousePlantQueen Wed 09-Aug-23 18:12:20

Kandinsky

He’s only said what the vast majority think.

Not me. Please don't include me in your horrid club.

HousePlantQueen Wed 09-Aug-23 18:15:57

scottie51

In my opinion Lee Anderson is an articulate clever man. I fully support his comments but then unlike some people I don't think the UK should be paying £6 million a day to support people who have entered our country illegally. If they want to claim asylum they should use the legal routes. It would be cheaper for them!

The first person from the barge to be interviewed had arrived by plane ie the legal route, but was still waiting. Oh, and these people are not illegal. Disgusting and incorrect terminology.

westendgirl Wed 09-Aug-23 18:19:06

Did he reply to your e-mail ,Pippa 22 ?
I think several people have answered your claim that the men are cowards. If you go back 2 or 3 pages you will find plenty references.
As for saying that many people are in fed up etc . I'm sure there are many people who do not agree at all with your point of view.

ALANaV Wed 09-Aug-23 18:38:10

I do agree with his sentiments ....the UK simply does not have the capacity to house more people who are only going to be a drain on finances, healthcare, schooling and tax payers money. I pass quite a few homeless in the city centre where I live, every day .....why can't our own citizens have somewhere warm and comfortable to live .....food, healthcare, a gym, entertainment ...all free ! I know many elderly people who cannot access care who would love to be there ! And as for complaining about 'signing in' and security checks ...all I can say is whenever I go on a cruise I have to: sign OUT of the ship whenever I leave to go ashore. On my return I have to : present my credentials, proof I am on the cruise, pass through a security X ray arch; pass my bag through the scanner and open it to show security ....THEN I might be allowed back on !!! and they are complaining this is against their human rights !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to also laugh at their complaining about everything .....and as for the MP's blast, all I can say is I lived in France and my late husband was told by our doctor he needed assessment in a specialised unit at our local hospital .........a junior Dr at the hospital said to me : Take him back home to where you came from ...this unit is for FRENCH people who have paid their taxes !!!!!! I just laughed ...but did report him to the management and our doctor who apologised ! I also informed them we had been in France a long time ...paid a VERY large amount in French taxes on our worldwide income, paid into the compulsory French health insurance (which cost quite a lot) and bought everything in France .............so for these uninvited free loaders I have NO sympathy ...WHY are these mostly young, fit and male people not being sent back to wherever they come from and if there is a problem, surely THEY can help to rebuild their own country and make it a better place to live ? I may even vote Conservative owing to his speech !!!!!

MerylStreep Wed 09-Aug-23 18:40:29

Winterwhite
showed two two- tier bunks to a room with very little space between them
It’s actually more room than our brave submariners defending our country have.
Even less room if your serving on a nuclear sub.

Maremia Wed 09-Aug-23 18:41:24

Referring back to the Kinder Transport, and the 'proving' that Britain was/is not a racist country, may I point out that only children with sponsors were allowed to travel. That means many desperate youngsters were denied the chance of rescue.
And back to small boats. The small boat that outrages me the most is the luxury yacht owned by Michelle Mone, who swindled us all out of millions of pounds. Get that money back, and use it to pay for efficient staff, who can process and deal with the asylum seeker backlog.

varian Wed 09-Aug-23 18:47:33

Why has Michelle Mone not been arrested?

westendgirl Wed 09-Aug-23 18:48:56

Good idea Maremia, but of course nothing will happen there .