Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

The immigrant barge - what’s actually wrong with using it?

1000 replies

NC523 · 08/08/2023 18:16

Educate me!

I looked at pics from the inside, it all looks very much like standard student accommodation to me, including common rooms/relaxation areas/health support on board. Residents can go on & off the boat, it’s passed fire etc safety and been used to house people in lots of other situations. I don’t understand why people think it’s not ok. Can anyone explain please?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
46
CloudyMcCloud · 13/08/2023 21:21

Not trying to make people feel bad but just so people are aware, if you google

Afghan is the proper term for a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan. The use of Afghani in this meaning is considered to be incorrect and is sometimes perceived as offensive.

CloudyMcCloud · 13/08/2023 21:23

calmcoco · 13/08/2023 21:21

I haven’t seen much stand up to scrutiny along the safe routes, prosecute, take them back lines This is what other European nations do.

If your objective is zero immigration it won't be what you want, but zero immigration = fucked economy.

Where are people arguing for zero immigration?

I know I’m not so not sure where this is from

AdamRyan · 13/08/2023 21:27

CloudyMcCloud · 13/08/2023 21:23

Where are people arguing for zero immigration?

I know I’m not so not sure where this is from

Show quote history

How do you propose to choose the right asylum seekers cloudy?

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 21:31

@pointythings agreed, there are a few issues to sort out, but I genuinely think people would pay to stay on the boat if it was a basic hotel, it's also brand new. I can't stand the locals complaining about it, what a bunch of nimbys.

pointythings · 13/08/2023 21:36

@Luckydip1 the barge is not brand new. It was built in the 70s. If it were being used in the same way as it was for oil rig workers, I would have no issues, but 1) it isn't, 2) the entertainment has been deliberately left non functional and 3) deliberate overcrowding. That just isn't OK.

CloudyMcCloud · 13/08/2023 21:37

AdamRyan · 13/08/2023 21:27

How do you propose to choose the right asylum seekers cloudy?

Show quote history

Zero immigration in pp means no other immigration including work visas, I haven’t seen anyone argue for that. You get the skills you need via visas.

Your question is relevant though to capped safe routes, if eg 80k apply how would it be capped?

And what happens to those who get a no, pay a smuggler and end up on U.K. border via a boat. International law still applies, they would need to be processed.

So there isn’t the legal mechanism to cap safe routes successfully. Can anyone say how they’d deal with boats arriving outside safe routes?

custardlover · 13/08/2023 21:48

God the ignorance and callousness here is so depressing.

TooBigForMyBoots · 13/08/2023 21:53

Some people are resistant to facts.

Sometimeswinning · 13/08/2023 22:03

custardlover · 13/08/2023 21:48

God the ignorance and callousness here is so depressing.

There is more than 1 type of ignorance on this thread.

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 22:03

@pointythings the barge has had a makeover, it's basically new. Yes it's quite crowded, but surely better than staying in a run down bed and breakfast. I don't know what entertainment has been removed but if it had loads, then people would be outraged that they were staying in a holiday camp.

Blossomtoes · 13/08/2023 22:06

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 22:03

@pointythings the barge has had a makeover, it's basically new. Yes it's quite crowded, but surely better than staying in a run down bed and breakfast. I don't know what entertainment has been removed but if it had loads, then people would be outraged that they were staying in a holiday camp.

Only people like Jenrick who can’t bear to see anyone treated with an ounce of humanity. And you forgot the Legionnaires Disease @Luckydip1 - you’re OK with that?

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 22:10

Obviously the legionnaires needs to be dealt with.

pointythings · 13/08/2023 22:20

@Luckydip1 deliberately denying people recreation is going to increase tension and with it the risk of violence. Which is likely to affect staff. Why do that for the sake of petty cruelty.

AdamRyan · 13/08/2023 22:25

CloudyMcCloud · 13/08/2023 21:37

Zero immigration in pp means no other immigration including work visas, I haven’t seen anyone argue for that. You get the skills you need via visas.

Your question is relevant though to capped safe routes, if eg 80k apply how would it be capped?

And what happens to those who get a no, pay a smuggler and end up on U.K. border via a boat. International law still applies, they would need to be processed.

So there isn’t the legal mechanism to cap safe routes successfully. Can anyone say how they’d deal with boats arriving outside safe routes?

Show quote history

I am literally asking your opinion
What do you want to see happening?

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 22:31

@pointythings they are not stuck on the boat they are free to come and go as they please, why would they want to fight each other?

QueueEtwo · 13/08/2023 23:09

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 21:12

The barge isn't that bad, nice views and similar finishes to a Travelodge, I don't know what all the fuss is about.

What apart from the Legionnaires in the water you mean?

QueueEtwo · 13/08/2023 23:11

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 22:31

@pointythings they are not stuck on the boat they are free to come and go as they please, why would they want to fight each other?

They aren't even on the fucking barge now they are all of it because there was legionnaires bacteria in the water supply!

QueueEtwo · 13/08/2023 23:23

The Govt have wasted £1.5B on an uninhabitable barge!

It will be out of action for months!

If we don't see a resignation from the Home Office this week over this then I despair!

TooBigForMyBoots · 13/08/2023 23:24

...the barge has had a makeover, its basically new.

No it isn't. Makeover does not mean basically new.🤣🤣🤣

Stop being fact resistant.Hmm

Nevermay · 13/08/2023 23:28

Luckydip1 · 13/08/2023 22:31

@pointythings they are not stuck on the boat they are free to come and go as they please, why would they want to fight each other?

They are absolutely not free to come and go as they please, there is one bus and hour for 500 people, so in order to be sure of returning before the curfew, you would need to start queuing for the bus back before you can possibly get a bus out in the morning

Blossomtoes · 13/08/2023 23:28

QueueEtwo · 13/08/2023 23:23

The Govt have wasted £1.5B on an uninhabitable barge!

It will be out of action for months!

If we don't see a resignation from the Home Office this week over this then I despair!

We won’t. She’s absolutely shameless. She’ll have to be carried out kicking and screaming.

QueueEtwo · 13/08/2023 23:31

Blossom I fear you are right!

QueueEtwo · 13/08/2023 23:34

I don't even know why people are joining the thread 900 plus posts in to say how pleasant the barge is! 🤣🤣🤣

curaçao · 13/08/2023 23:41

Nevermay · 08/08/2023 18:21

It has been furnished to house over twice the number of people it was built for, there is no way the communal areas are adequate for 500 people, and no, they can't come and go as they please, there is one bus an hour from the barge going basically nowhere, and they will need to queue for it, and might or might not get a space on it - the bus is the only route out of the fenced in dock.

It is basically a prison ship, and if one person starts a fire, there is nowhere for the other 499 to go.

Students are generally not squeezed two each into tiny rooms with only a bunk bed a wardrobe and one chair in. Students generally have access to medical care and educational facilities. Students are generally free to come and go as they please, they have privacy, they have enough toilets, they have somewhere to sit EACH, ie, they can all sit down at the same time!

Students have paid for their accommodation and have not come to the UK illegally

Nevermay · 13/08/2023 23:49

curaçao · 13/08/2023 23:41

Students have paid for their accommodation and have not come to the UK illegally

Show quote history

That is a ridiculous argument - how do you know that any particular individual on the barge has not paid 10x more than you for accommodation? And being an asylum seeker is not illegal

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In
This thread is not accepting new messages.