Trying every avenue available to say . “this is just not good enough” !!

Yesterday I met with my local Conservative MP – Sir Edward Garnier.  I spoke to him for around 20 minutes.  I am not naive, even though he agreed with much of what I said, I was aware that I had no concrete commitment from him as I walked out of the door.  It is what comes next which is the real test..

I asked Mr Garnier if he could speak up in the House regarding the inadequacy of the UK response to the refugee crisis, champion the cause as my MP…. some issues we talked about below;

UK Policy to accept 20,000 refugees in 5 years; Mr Garnier talked about the policy of the UK policy to accept 20,000 refugees in 5 years, taken from the camps in Turkey/ Lebanon, the policy designed to discourage people putting their lives at risk to cross into Europe. I said that the UK response was woefully short of what we should be doing and told him that, clearly, the policy had failed as tens of thousands of desperate people continue to make the journey and you cannot discourage people in this way as they are fleeing for their lives from war torn countries.  I asked Mr Garnier whether he thought that the policy was a failure, he agreed with me that it was.

Germany’s initial ‘open door’ policy a failure; Mr Garnier talked about the problems in Germany following Angela Merkel’s initial offer of an open door for Syrian refugees.  About how the large numbers entering the country had caused issues and unrest with the population, and now Germany are having to rescind the offer.  I did get (a little) irate at this point, I said that at this point in time, it was the perfect opportunity for EU leaders to pull together and provide an EU wide solution.  Instead, Angela Merkel put her head above the parapet and all the other EU leaders looked at their feet and sat on their hands and did next to nothing, leaving Germany high and dry.  The EU states seem to fighting for bottom place in relation to this humanitarian crisis.  Mr Garnier neither agreed or disagreed with this point.

The EU / Turkey deal; Mr Garnier told me that he knows quite a lot about Turkey.  He talked about the human rights abuses and lethal fighting between different religious groups.  He agreed when asked that Turkey was not a safe Third Country for refugees.

The vote for the UK to accept 3000 unaccompanied minors later this month; I asked Mr Garnier if he would vote to accept these children and speak up for them in the House of Commons.  He said that he would if it was shown that there were places they could be cared for.  I instigated a discussion about the vast number of people in this country who have the willingness, capability and resources to foster these children.  So many people want to help, OK – safe guarding is paramount, but it could be done and the Government cannot hide behind bureaucracy.  I think he agreed with me on this point, but again was a little non-committal.

I told Mr Garnier that the primary  reason I felt compelled to go to Lesvos in January and now to Idomeni was because I am utterly ashamed of the UK response, if the Government were refusing to help then I would stand up and do it myself.  I said that the Prime Minister’s language when talking about this crisis did not help – he seems proud of being able keep the refugees out and refusing to agree to any quotas.

Mr Garnier asked if it was of use, going out as a sole volunteer, as it is just a drop in the ocean (not those exact words but similar).  I said that I thought it very important as well as providing some help and showing solidarity – I have the backing of generous donors to buy food / supplies when I am there.. Also I will report back the truth of what is happening on the ground – to counteract negative press coverage.  I said that I had to go as my Government had failed to act.

Mr Garnier took the address of this blog, so hopefully he will read this and speak up on behalf of humanity.. if I can I will attend his next surgery and see if any progress has been made.

If anyone is up bright and early tomorrow I am being interviewed on BBC Radio Leicester at around 8.30am … LIVE (help)

Emma

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