Responding to the news that Home Secretary Priti Patel is now investigating a humanitarian route for Ukrainian refugees without family in the UK, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said:
It is shameful that Ukrainians escaping Putin’s terror are being turned away from the UK. It flies in the face of our country’s proud history of providing sanctuary to people fleeing war and persecution.
Priti Patel has spent her time as Home Secretary closing down safe routes for refugees to come to the UK. For her to say she’s just started ‘investigating’ those routes for Ukrainians is a welcome change of heart, but nowhere near good enough.
We need a full, simple and fast refugee scheme now, not more costly delays and bureaucracy.
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‘Let’s be clear, this is the first scheme in the world that’s up and running in this short period of time.’
This is what Priti Patel is quoted as saying when challenged about the 50 visas issued so far.
The Tories’ have become so brainwashed by their own ‘world-beating’ mantra that it has become a pavlovian reflex every time they say anything about anything.
While Britain leads the way yet again, here in laggardly Ireland, we have already welcomed 1800 refugees. A government portal has just been opened where people can register to offer accommodation.
The entire raison d’être of this government is the idea that foreigners are a threat to Our Way of Life. So why would they let any but the smallest token number in? They’re already congratulating themselves that Brexit means they don’t have to do anything they don’t want to do—and they don’t want to do anything.
By contrast, in 1914, the UK admitted a quarter million refugees from Belgium. Of course, then there was a Liberal government.
Salisbury.
@John Oundle
Salisbury – your point being what?
I’m not aware that the alleged perpetrators of the Salisbury and Amesbury poisonings were seeking refuge in our country. It was alleged that they were Russian intelligence officers.
Isn’t one of the real problems the sheer disfunctionality of the Home Office?
Putin is taking over a country that’s one big problem. Why and what is his next move?
The Ukrainians are fighting to live in their homeland.
Yes Salisbury, and should their be a Russian whose family have connections to the KGB in the House of Lords?
This government most certainly has changed the meaning of transparency into the Johnson ideas.
Ever watched Little Britain? One of the main characters Vicky Pollard, who often gets into dishonest situations, adds, yes but no, it wasn’t me. Then carries on with sort of admitting to something.
What is needed is some flexibility. How can people fleeing Ukraine, unless they have close contacts, know what they want. Many will want to retain the option of returning when it’s safe. Let’s accomodate this uncertainty by granting temporary humanitarian visas on demand that can be extended as and when.