Refugees

It is heartrending to see these poor people trying to flee misery, and taking such risks. I have no idea what the answer is, but it is certainly not DC's idea - he is right that the problems in Syria need to be dealt with in some way - but that is a long term and possibly fruitless project. Is he happy to see all these people suffering and dying while he goes off on a wild goose chase?

He should be sitting down with all the leaders of the civilised world, both Europe and N America and working out what should be done immediately. After the 2nd WW provision was made for refugees worldwide and that is what needs to happen again.

The UK cannot twiddle its thumbs talking of high-minded projects to change Syria, while children are drowning and suffocating to death.

I am not blind to the problems caused by large influxes of immigrants to an area, and this needs to be dealt with by a proper sharing of the "burden."

Germany has chosen to temporarily suspend the Dublin Agreement. Therefore Germany will have to accept that it will be the country to aim for. It has made a stance that has opened it's door open and must accept what follows .

There has just been a press conference with Martin Schulz and the Hungarian Prime Minister. I think it shows publicly the divisions that are within the European Union. Could this problem be the downfall of the European Union?. I think the schengen agreement might be the first to show discord.

I have my own views concerning what I see with regard to asylum/immigration I am asking if I am alone in my concern that this problem will prove too divisive for Europe.

Jingle, think of them as immigrants not people , that wasn't a child's body washed up on a beach it was an immigrant's body , he could have come to this country and taken up a desk in a school or a bed in a hospital , he would have affected our standard of living and his death means one less in the swarm .

Maybe this monstrous happening will finally stop the politicians just talking and actually do something. Especially our own dear Cameron, who I think should be pretty ashamed of himself now.

I think refugees from Syria should be given priority. Somehow, in my mind, the Syrian war links to Tony Blair and George Bush. They/we stirred it all up out there in the first place.

Eloethan, it has been said his family drown too, his little brother.

If all council's take 10 families as has been suggested - and which sounds like an excellent suggestion - who has priority? I would like to see them come from Kos and the other islands. The Greeks have enough on their plates and I really feel for those islanders who're loosing their livelihoods.

In fact I understand we already have a cruise ship parked off shore and filled ready to come! Anybody seen anything on how they're faring?

I have just seen on google news that that picture will be on the front page of many newspapers today to shock people , hopefully, into some sort of action. We will see. I should say, shame some people!

That was such a sad picture *Anniebach" - still with his little shoes, shorts and t-shirt on. Somebody's much-loved little boy. It is all just so terrible.

The little mite who drowned and his body washed up on a beach was from Syria, escaped bombs and bullets to drown

Thank you Ana

I accept that you do, Anniebach

I understand that Ana and I don't expect or think because this is a predominantly Christian country that all should follow the teachings of the gospels , i am troubled that a Christian can dismiss them, i offer support not criticism

There are three people on this thread known to be Christian; soon, jingl and Anniebach.
Two of them want more to be done for the refugees, one doesn't. I know who I consider to be the more Christian.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/refugee-crisis-enough-is-enough--picture-of-drowned-syrian-refugee-boy-washed-up-on-a-beach-is-the-wakeup-call-david-cameron-needs-10482936.html

I know you weren't Anniebach, but I still feel the criticisms of stb from certain quarters are unjustified and that the fact that the UK is a predominantly Christian country shouldn't be used as a reason to accept all comers indiscriminately.

Not fair Ana , I was not referring to interpretations

You obviously can't win, soontobe - damned on some threads if you claim to accept the word of the Bible without question and damned on others if you offer an opinion which might just indicate you have a mind of your own.

Confusing issues ? People risk their lives by walking hundreds of miles or squashed in boats which are not sea worthy , children are drowning , they are fleeing countries we have bombed , I am not confused I am deeply ashamed we have a government where the prime minister describes them as swarming and a foreign secretary who claims they would affect our standard of living, at least he said what many in this country think and fear

soon, Matthew 25. 35 - 40

www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2015/09/02/burnham-and-cooper-could-change-the-tide-of-the-refugee-deba

Sorry, but I'm pleased I am not a Christian like soon, but just a plain humanitarian.

Good idea petra. We need to work on the cause not just the effect.

5000 quoted by DC on R4 this evening I believe.

How's this for a radical plan: let's us (and the EU) take all these 10s of 1,000s of fit young men, train them into fighting soldiers and send them back to wipe out isis and Baasher Assad.

Margaret X said that 'up to now there have only been 10,000...'

Not sure about any of these figures.

Yes DC agreed to 5000 Syrian refugees, who I understand are now in UK but he will not agree to any more.