Quote Originally Posted by swaledale View Post
Oh please, your being pedantic here, but for the sake of accuracy I will explain further.

In your reply you stated there were many safe route for asylum seekers, that wasn't true. I knew at the time I'd need to add additional explanation, but I guess those who remain convinced that those coming over on the boats are nothing more than "chancers" will basically not believe the FACTS because it doesn't suit their narrative.

The legislation in 2022 was specifically designed to appear as if the Government was making safe and legal routes available for Refugees or those claiming Asylum but in reality they provide for only specific sets of people.

So of the three schemes, the UNHCR resettlement scheme is both restrictive and ineffective, with the UK having accepted a fraction of those it pledged to accept.

To be considered, a person must have fled their home country due to conflict or persecution and have entered another country. This is often difficult and dangerous. They must then register with UNHCR.

A person cannot request or apply to be resettled, they can only hope to be selected according to the protection criteria of the resettlement programme (for instance a specific medical need that canÂ’t be met in the country of displacement), and if enough resettlement places have been offered.

No viable for most people as highly likely one could qualify but never get picked for the scheme and could end up in any country.

Bespoke schemes have been designed as a specific response to events in Ukraine and Afghanistan and are an important way to bring some Ukrainians and Afghans to safety. There was also the Hongkong scheme.

Obviously none of those in boats qualify under this scheme.

Family reunion is a rights-based route which allows refugees who have already fled and been given refugee status in another country to bring immediate family members to join them.

So if your a genuine refugee or Asylum seeker without family in the UK, you can't use this scheme!

When I stated that the Tories closed off the safe routes for Asylum seekers, i was speaking the truth, because although there exist 3 "safe" routes for refugees, asylum seekers to come into the UK in the vast majority of cases none of them can be accessed by those using boats because even if under International Law they would be deemed to qualify as a refugee or Asylum seeker they can't access a safe and legal scheme, or get a visa to travel to the UK to make a claim!

Now seeing as the UK Government requires a person to be in the UK, BEFORE they can claim Asylum, perhaps you can explain to me how the majority of those who qualify but want to make a claim can do so?

The last government was very good at putting things into law or making claims that something existed when despite appearances in reality it did not. This is a classic example whereby safe and legal routes are largely an illusion.

If Brexit has nothing to do with the rise in small boats crossings, explain why prior to Brexit such crossings were minimal?

Your comment about returns being minimal is odd, given it has been the resumption of a return agreement with Albania for their nationals that has largely stopped that nationality ( most of whom clearly weren't asylum seekers) crossing.

The point about the previous returns agreement, is that those for whom France or Italy was a reasonable safe country to claim asylum, never entered the UK.

As for THicky's contributions, they are littered with racist, xenophobic and bigoted remarks, often lifted straight from right wing media and internet sources, unapologetically so. He has been openly derogatory about Eastern Europeans, Syrians and many other nationalities, if the cap fits I will call it out. The fact that you as moderator don't see fit to do so is perhaps an indication of where your views lie?



1. That ones easy.
The number one smuggling route was lorries. Over time, the checks/ sterile zones around ports grew. It got harder and harder.
Since Brexit, the numbers have grown in proportion to European countries clamping down on them and either deporting or blocking any more. You only have to listen to the stories from the illegals themselves and to know this. Even the French government will tell you, we give them too much and they all know it. You being the smartest man on here, ought to know this.


2. you just can't help yourself can you? I asked for proof, not your opinion.
You are the classic left wing rhetoric infesting the country, a mantle taken up by Starmer. Instead of curing the disease, lets attack the sympton.
The 2 tier policing is in full swing on this one and anyone with right wing views is far right Nazi.

NB, I notice no one has expained this plank yet either?
A man who on video(damn the internet), called for right wingers to have their throats slit, pleads not guilty to incitement to violence.
A charge that reduced by DPP from incitement to murder to the lesser charge.
Meanwhile a Granny who posted 9 nasty words gets 15 months immediately.
Did I mention he's a Labour councillor as well?

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crim...-b1180481.html