As with most others I was sorry to learn that a Sudanese migrant has been apparently drowned off the coast of France whilst attempting to cross the Channel in a flimsy craft whilst also apparently being unable to swim. Even Home Secretary Pritti Patel described it as "an awful tragedy" which indeed it was.
Now I realise that I have to tread carefully here - I have no wish to appear unsympathetic and I have no desire to offend those of perhaps a more compassionate disposition but there are one or two things that genuinely puzzle me about the so called migrant crisis.
The first is that, just recently, there have been some unfortunate drownings here in the UK - the other day a young man drowned in Devon river - but I doubt that that was reported in France with the same enthusiasm as we have had here over the loss of life in the Channel. The second is that this event has once again given rise to yet more one sided reporting in the media - for example it was featured in yesterday`s edition of the Meridian regional news but we only heard from those representing the charities concerned with the migrant `crisis.`
Now here in Kent I am paying well over £1,000 a year to Kent County Council (KCC) for a `range of services` which apparently includes looking after the welfare of 400 child migrants under the age of 18 and another 900 between the ages of 18 and 25. No wonder KCC are begging the government for help in dealing with this burden of responsibility, although help seems a long time coming.
So far this year it`s reported that something like 5,000 migrants have landed on Kent`s shores and despite assurances, promises and good intentions the authorities - and there are many local and national agencies involved with this - seem no further forward in seeking a sensible solution. Of course it is right for any civilised country to accept genuine asylum seekers fleeing conflict, privation and persecution abroad and I have no problem with that. But economic migration is an altogether different kettle of fish, as is the apparent laissez-faire attitude towards the problem from our friends on the other side of the Channel.
Now if this all continues unchecked (literally) then one must be forgiven for wondering where it all might end. We are an island nation, space and resources are limited and so the notion proposed by the migrant charities (and others of perhaps a more compassionate disposition) - to ensure a safe crossing, safe passage and generous reception for those seeking the comfort of our largesse - can only lead to the logical conclusion that one fine day most of the population of Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and all points east and south will actually be resident in this country.
At which point, perhaps the indigenous population of this sceptred isle might have to find refuge elsewhere. Well, it is a logical conclusion, Captain.....and I wonder if I will be welcome in the Seychelles or the Maldives or a paradise island in the Caribbean?
Now I realise that I have to tread carefully here - I have no wish to appear unsympathetic and I have no desire to offend those of perhaps a more compassionate disposition but there are one or two things that genuinely puzzle me about the so called migrant crisis.
The first is that, just recently, there have been some unfortunate drownings here in the UK - the other day a young man drowned in Devon river - but I doubt that that was reported in France with the same enthusiasm as we have had here over the loss of life in the Channel. The second is that this event has once again given rise to yet more one sided reporting in the media - for example it was featured in yesterday`s edition of the Meridian regional news but we only heard from those representing the charities concerned with the migrant `crisis.`
Now here in Kent I am paying well over £1,000 a year to Kent County Council (KCC) for a `range of services` which apparently includes looking after the welfare of 400 child migrants under the age of 18 and another 900 between the ages of 18 and 25. No wonder KCC are begging the government for help in dealing with this burden of responsibility, although help seems a long time coming.
So far this year it`s reported that something like 5,000 migrants have landed on Kent`s shores and despite assurances, promises and good intentions the authorities - and there are many local and national agencies involved with this - seem no further forward in seeking a sensible solution. Of course it is right for any civilised country to accept genuine asylum seekers fleeing conflict, privation and persecution abroad and I have no problem with that. But economic migration is an altogether different kettle of fish, as is the apparent laissez-faire attitude towards the problem from our friends on the other side of the Channel.
Now if this all continues unchecked (literally) then one must be forgiven for wondering where it all might end. We are an island nation, space and resources are limited and so the notion proposed by the migrant charities (and others of perhaps a more compassionate disposition) - to ensure a safe crossing, safe passage and generous reception for those seeking the comfort of our largesse - can only lead to the logical conclusion that one fine day most of the population of Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and all points east and south will actually be resident in this country.
At which point, perhaps the indigenous population of this sceptred isle might have to find refuge elsewhere. Well, it is a logical conclusion, Captain.....and I wonder if I will be welcome in the Seychelles or the Maldives or a paradise island in the Caribbean?
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