Help refugees, make Britain truly Great
WHAT is meant by “Great” Britain? Is it “great” because of its formerly valued democratic principles, buttressed by the rule of law which respected its people? Much of what has been seen as great in Britain was founded on the development and expression of a broadly national social morality, such as the antislavery campaign.
An example of this was the welcome given by the town of Folkestone to 65,000 Belgian refugees in 1917 who had fled the German invasion. Despite the possible fears regarding possible infiltration by spies it overcame such doubts. Despite the obvious fact many of Folkestone’s women would by this time have been war widows and would have had serious money issues of their own, the refugees were given help. This is a mark of true greatness and it contrasts profoundly with the grudging and minimal help given to today’s refugees who have in many cases suffered unimaginable horrors. There are of course some exceptions, mainly through the efforts of local councils, but so much more is needed and should be done.
During World War II our country again welcomed and provided refuge for thousands who had escaped the horrors of German invasion. Today even children who are eligible for asylum here have been ignored or simply shut out of present-day “Great Britain.”
Currently only the partners and children under the age of 18 are allowed to join their families in the UK. This means that parents trying to keep their families safe have to make heart-wrenching choices. Some have been forced to leave children over the age of 18 behind as they fled persecution.
All this contrasts horribly with the humane treatment Britain afforded refugees in 1917 and in the 1940s. The shameful watering down of the Dubs amendment displays an appallingly sclerotic approach to those in desperate situations. It seems the Home Office may not have the resources to deal with pared-down and pathetic levels of care for refugees. Are we really such a tremulous nation that we can only see some of the problems but have not the courage to activate a sensible and humane policy?
In 1917 and in the 1940s many people had very little yet refugees were not denied basic human protection. For all our present economic concerns what we have today would have seemed riches indeed to those who were trying to rebuild their lives following WWII.
Many of the refugees showed themselves to be industrious and talented, contributing much to the rebuilding of a shattered, demoralised and weakened Britain. When Britain rediscovers its better self then perhaps we may truly reclaim the title of “Great Britain”.
One vital step towards our national rehabilitation would be the passing of the Private Member’s Bill on refugee family reunion, which is due to receive its second reading on March 16 this year. The bill is co-sponsored by a cross-party group of MPs who feel that the current refugee family reunion rules are too restrictive. Please contact your MP and ask that they support this bill and help Britain to be great again. Vaughan Richards
Bridgend