Calais Crisis

I'd like to wade into the debate surrounding the refugee children from Calais if I may be so bold and play something of a Devil's Advocate. Just as an aside, I think Gary Lineker is a lovely man, he sent my friend a signed photo back in the 1980's when she wasn't able to include a stamped addressed envelope. He has every right to a compassionate and informed opinion, but anyway, I digress.....

As many of you know, I'm a dyed in the wool Leftie, a proper full-on Corbynite and card carrying member of the Labour Party so I do feel that offering shelter and security to Syrian children is the proper and appropriate thing to do as a civilised, First World country. That saying, I was alarmed at the photos coming out in the media of those 'children' seeking asylum in the UK. To be frank, some of them could rival Methuselah or Lulu in terms of age!

Now I know for a fact that the Right Wing media has an insidious agenda. We can safely dismiss their borderline fascistic articles about those migrants coming from Calais because they're doing the bidding of those megalomaniac tycoons operating in the shadows. They contribute nothing but to manipulate the British public via means of thought puppetry, hence, anything that is reported on their part bears little credibility.

That saying, as the brief was explicitly to give refuge to children, I'd like to know exactly what checks have been made to verify the ages of the individuals in question. My Nanna had a box in the house in which she kept important paperwork such as insurance documents, birth certificates etc, so that Mum would know what to grab first in the event of a fire or some such catastrophe. Obviously, I cannot imagine that many Syrians are escaping their war torn country by land and sea clutching an old Quality Street tin brimming with important personal papers.

Therefore, it is quite right and just that some of the British public are questioning the authenticity of those arriving on the shores at Dover. Especially when you consider a substantial proportion of the public have seen their living standards drop and are trying to exist on a hand to mouth shoestring budget. Had we had a Left-Wing administration, I daresay the redistribution of wealth would be far more beneficial for all those in need.

It doesn't help matters that in this post-Brexit climate, when relations with Europe are already strained, that verification is needed to endorse those coming into the country. Moreover, if we want the general public to get on board with the notion of supporting those fleeing from hardship, it isn't advisable to compound the belief that we are being duped in some cases. I believe that numerous checks are made before the migrants arrive in the UK, but judging by appearances alone, I'd question if some of those seeking asylum are being entirely honest. That's not to say their actions are with malicious intent.

It's with some concern that some refugees are possibly using whatever means necessary to get access to the UK, especially when it relies on the good nature of charity workers and volunteers to assist them. Either that or they're utilising a definition of 'children' that is particularly broad brush.....