On the radio news this lunchtime they are talking about asylum seeking. What is the actual situation, they ask, of a 16 year old in Africa, with family ties to the UK? Does he have a route for seeking asylum here? Basically, in theory yes, but in practice with difficulty.
Experts and government spokespeople are saying things like:
- It is not simply a case of raising your hand and saying you have refugee status and that you have family here.
- We have no obligation to offer asylum to people from all over the world.
- It is right we focus our attention on those with the greatest need.
Meanwhile Newsthump has posted this:
“Boat gangs absolutely delighted Tories didn’t put them out of business overnight by letting asylum seekers cross the channel on trains or ferries
As the government announced a raft of measures that seem to focus on penalising genuine asylum seekers, rather than stopping the boats, people traffickers on the continent have expressed their delight.
As one trafficker told us, “Honestly, when they said they were going to put us out of business, I was really worried.
“Mainly because it would be incredibly easy for them to actually put us out of business. All they’d have to do is put on the odd ferry or train for asylum seekers, and we’d be done for.
“They could even let asylum seekers buy a ticket on a regular service, and we’d all be gone overnight.
“Hell, if they announced the opening of a centre to process asylum claims in Calais then our business would be finished before lunchtime today.””
And Gary Lineker has stepped in again, angering MPs and bis employers, the BBC.
“Lineker’s response to a video message by the home secretary, Suella Braverman, about stopping people crossing the Channel in small boats was: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
When challenged by someone on Twitter, the presenter defended his comments, saying: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
“This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
And it seems the BBC are going to “speak” to Gary Lineker about this. Inevitably this has led to discussion of Gary Lineker’s actions on the news programme. Here are some of the comments, not quite quotations by my remembering what was said:
- The BBC puts the highest importance on impartiality.
- Because of his role in Match of the Day he has a profile and knows he must comply with the guidelines.
- However, he is employed as a football commentator, not a news reporter or political commentator.
- One person consulted on the news said he has the perfect right to express his opinions.
- It would be different if it was a news presenter expressing those views.
- He should comply with the guidelines because it is the BBC that made him famous - the person who said this did partially withdraw that and admit that Lineker was famous as a footballer before the BBC helped him on his career path.
- He makes his comments on Twitter, not on the BBC.
- Free speech is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and Lineker is exercising his right to free speech. (I think it was John Humphreys who said this.
I have always liked Gary Lineker. I think he may be turning into one of my heroes.
And here’s a quote from Tony Benn:
“The way a government treats refugees is very instructive because it shows you how they would treat the rest of us if they thought they could get away with it”.
Enough said!
And Clive Savage, who is apparently a Communications Consultant - Freelance has asked: “Stop the Boats” is just the UK’s version of “Build The Wall” isn’t it?
That’s enough for a cold, wintery day when I am seriously considering hibernation as a way of getting away from it all.
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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