 |
| Cllr Erin Hill |
“People are escaping
countries and regimes where some of the
worst human rights abuses in the world take place, and where war, hunger,
absolute poverty and fear are constant. We must work with national government,
faith communities and aid agencies to respond to what is now a humanitarian
crisis. Together we have to find
a way, collectively, to respond quickly and provide proper support for
refugees.
“In and amongst the international politics are real human
tragedies. Many refugees have seen parents, siblings and children die in front
of them, either as a result of conditions and atrocities in their homeland, or
of the difficult journey to Europe. We have heard reports of whole
families trying to survive on 200ml of water a day. Others have suffocated in the
backs of lorries. We cannot stand by and let this happen.
“This is not a debate about open door immigration. It is about us
providing a home – as Britain has done in the past - to desperate refugees.
“Kirklees is committed wholeheartedly to supporting these
efforts. We are currently looking at practical ways we can assist with this
crisis. There will be a point where, perhaps through the Local Government
Association, we have to ask government for help with the costs, but that time
is not right now. Our efforts now must be to offer the safe haven these
desperate families need.”
Labour nationally has responded to the crisis with Yorkshire
MP Yvette Cooper writing an open letter to David Cameron today calling for more
decisive action nationally. But the practical response has to come from every
region and every local authority to be effective.
Jo Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, said today “I am
proud that our Labour council has shown such decisive and compassionate
political leadership. This is a human crisis that requires a human response,
and we will do our bit to house these refugees. If every council offered to
help, we would only need places for 10 families in each local authority.”
David Cameron has today bowed under public and political pressure
to house more asylum seekers in Britain, following an outpouring of public
donations and social media support for the refugees.
