Thread 34 Sunak - the Circus is back in Westminster

[DuncinToffee]

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4947437-thread-33-sunak-sense-and-sunakability?page=40&reply=131395455

You are right that it is disgusting to politicise the tragic situation of anyone fleeing persecution which is what asylum seekers are.

Sadly the Prime Minister does not share this view and for that he should be condemned.

Will you join me in condemning Rishi Sunaks politicisation of the desperate situation that asylum seekers find themselves in?

Are you incapable of thinking there are more than 1 reason?
Do I think the Government's policy played a role in this?
I don't think that putting someone in such a situation helps anyones mental health - and I think it was a factor.

You do understand that a combination of factors can contribute? And it's not just 1 single thing?

If this poor person had mental health issues that a) were not being addressed; and b) were exacerbated by the conditions on the barge (see article I linked to) then yes, the government is partly to blame.

There will be an inquest at some point, so we will see what the Coroner has to say and whether a Coroner's letter is issued to the Home Office.

What is low is to keep saying that our government's treatment of asylum seekers has not in any way been a contributing factor in this man's suicide. Are you going to admit now that conditions on the barge will have exacerbated this man's problems or are you going to keep stating the opposite, @Janiie ?

The government's very own suicide prevention plan recognises that refugees are an at risk group. Yet it has knowingly "housed" them in conditions that are bound to adversely affect mental health.

Given that the government now has a policy of accepting nearly every asylum application (greater than 95% from some countries) in order to meet Sunak's pledge to cut the backlog would it not be simpler to just welcome asylum seekers rather than demonising them before granting them asylum?

At risk because of ptsd due to what some have endured in their home countries and what they are fleeing, separation from loved ones etc. I really think some of you are over simplifying the tragedy by blaming it on accommodation provided in a safe country.

At risk because of ptsd due to what some have endured in their home countries and what they are fleeing, separation from loved ones etc

Absolutely. Then our government proceeds to demonise them, treat them as less worthy and use them as a political football. Don't you think that might have an impact on someone whose mental health is already fragile?

You are the one who is oversimplifying by assuming that there is one factor and that's the accommodation.

How? 75% of claims are approved. Hardly demonising those seeking asylum.

You're getting mixied up with the people traffickers, now they are indeed demonised as they should be.

'Political football'. Hmm, a bit like using the tragic death of an asylum seeker to attack and blame the Government?

@Janiie so you genuinely believe that conditions on the Bibby Stockholm have absolutely positively zero adverse impact on those housed there? Really? Because someone who believes that is either very dim or very callous.

@Janiie following your unpleasant comments over the last week or so I just wanted to say, as we approach the festive season, that I hope you have the sort of Christmas that you so richly deserve.

I bet people watched I Daniel Blake and didn't think welfare bureacracy played any role in his death.

I, Daniel Blake - BBC Film

Catching up with yesterday's news.

I live in Wales and I'm sad to hear that Mark Drakeford will be standing down, although totally understandable.

Whether or not anyone agrees with his policies, I think it is fair to say that most of them have been done with the intention of improving lives and not for the purpose of lining his own or his friends' pockets.

Unlike that disgraceful lot in Downing Street where corruption seems to come as naturally as breathing.

The Bibby Stockholm was built to house 222 workers, (rather than 500) on a temporary basis, for a few weeks at a time, and was used very much just to eat and sleep on, with the workers being very much kept busy working when not eating and sleeping. Even so they found it cramped and depressing. here's an article from earlier in the year:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bibby-stockholm-barge-conditions-resident-experience-b2390135.html

We would all do well to remind ourselves that the government is talking so much about asylum seeker's because they haven't got any ideas about how to improve the economy, education and the health service. They want people to be distracted.

This is what annoyed me on Radio 4 this week. Keir Starmer was on and the only conversation was about Rwanda. He was asked why it wasn't in his 5 priorities.

I think there are far far far more pressing things we should be talking about

Not going to bite, janiie. Have a lovely Christmas. At least the New Year offers us some hope in the form of finally getting the scum out of Westminster.

Unpleasant comments where? I have repeatedly said I have every sympathy for the man and his family my issue has been with posters who have used it as an opportunity, yes an actual opportunity, to blame the Government rather than look at the bigger picture that anyone fleeing war torn countries and persecution will no doubt have complex issues that I doubt the size of the room offered in a safe country has anything to do with.

We approve 75% of claims, that is good no?

Your pa comment about Christmas is a bit unkind. I hope everyone has a peaceful and pleasant Christmas whether I agree with their opinions on mn or not.

Wish I’d never brought it up now.

Can I make clear that I did not blame the government for the man’s suicide. They absolutely do need to take the blame for creating or exacerbating mental health issues because of the conditions on the barge. This in an already vulnerable population.

And you can be damn sure there are people in No 10 currently trying to work out how to spin this because the optics of a suicide on the BS are terrible when you have politicised this situation as much as the Tories have.

RafaistheKingofClay you have done nothing wrong. We know no-one on here has said the government is directly to blame.

Agree that there will be some desperate attempts at spinning going on.

You may not have noticed, but the Prime Minister spend a considerable part of the summer stood in front of a lecturn that said "Stop the Boats". It is quite clear for all to see who is demonising and politicising asylum seekers. The very same person who sat next to his boss while said boss lied in parliament about illegal parties they had both attended.

Stop the boats, not stop the asylum seekers of whom 75% of claims are approved.

Also good to remind ourselves that Rwanda is paid for by Ministerial Direction - ie the department don't have the evidence that it will work as described and or that it offers value for money.

Tories spending £300 million on a distraction from cost of living, failures in workforce planning (NHS & education), underinvestment across the board, poor transport connections etc etc.