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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Lily Allen in Calais

310 replies

parrots · 12/10/2016 19:43

Couldn't find another thread on this. The situation in Calais is awful, but AIBU to see Lily Allen's overtures as slightly virtue signalling and self-indulgent?

OP posts:
PortiaCastis · 12/10/2016 20:32

What about the homeless already on our streets is zLily Allen going to stump up for them?

Garthmarenghi · 12/10/2016 20:33

Isn't the jungle being cleared this week?

MistressMerryWeather · 12/10/2016 20:34

Aye, they should of had the good manners to just drown, eh Portia?

MorrisZapp · 12/10/2016 20:34

Can a kind person state clearly and simply how the UK has created the migrant crisis?

clam · 12/10/2016 20:34

I think there's a large percentage that make the dangerous journey first hoping to be able to get into a position to bring their families over.

So it's not even "just" the 10,000 in Calais. We can multiply that by at least 4 for everyone to bring family over at a later date?

BakeOffBiscuits · 12/10/2016 20:34

Sheesh she didn't stand up infront of thousands of people and apologise, it was to one person who was telling his horrendous story. She was showing a bit of humanity and using a turn of phrase.

MaQueen · 12/10/2016 20:34

Agree with Portia. They have knowingly passed through several safe EU to get to Calais.

Why do they specifically want to get into the UK?

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:34

You have to show compassion for media attention? What about Will.I.Am and Jude Law and the other million celebrities that have been there? I can assure you they've all said the same thing. You see you're so numb by what you witness, you don't have any other words other than sorry. It's fucking horrendous, people are living like animals, regardless of how thinly veiled your racism is.

BowieFan · 12/10/2016 20:35

I happen to be completely agree with her about the situation, but I think she was very arrogant to assume that she could speak for everyone. It came off as very fake-looking and attention-seeking to me. I mean, it's worked. Before today, when had you last heard of her?

I've always disliked her. Started when she was making out like she was an indie artist who started on myspace despite being signed to a major label and her dad being a famous actor. Harry Enfield was her stepdad for a while as well.

She's always irritated me.

BakeOffBiscuits · 12/10/2016 20:35

Goes there's some ignorant people on this thread.

You can't argue with stupid.

clam · 12/10/2016 20:36

Aye, they should of had the good manners to just drown, eh Portia?

Or, seeing as how they clearly put themselves in that dangerous position deliberately (as they appeared to have the UK coastguard's number conveniently stored in their phone and therefore showed intent), maybe they shouldn't have set sail in the first place.

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:36

MaQueen, Italy and Hungary and Greece are not deemed safe. That leaves Germany (over subscribed, as they actually took their quota) and France (where they are forever beaten, rubber bulleted and tear gassed). Most of them speak English and not Spanish or Dutch, most have family already settled here.

These are fucking children we're talking about. Unaccompanied children, who'll end up in bastarding social services, which for once in Britain, is a better option than being in the Jungle.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 12/10/2016 20:36

I think it's disappointing that by apologising on behalf of her country, the discussion has centred around her right to apologise rather than what people could do or education on the issues or any one of the millions of points that the aid agencies would probably have liked her to make.

scaryteacher · 12/10/2016 20:37

Syria is a proxy war between the Saudis and Iran. We didn't start it, and I am unsure how people think we should end it, except by putting boots yet again on the ground.

The UK is helping to the tune of billions in aid to the camps in Jordan and Lebanon to stop people making the journey to Calais, a journey on which they have landed in and passed through several safe countries in which to claim asylum. Why have they not claimed it?

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:38

Not set sail? Better to stay in Izmir or Syria? Perhaps loiter in Libya for a little while and take in the sights?

We didn't have this shit with persecuted Jewish children, we took them in. This is no different. Woe betide someone cried after being emotionally torn.

MaQueen · 12/10/2016 20:38

Why are Italy, Hungary and Greece not deemed 'safe'? I have friends who have visited all 3 of these countries in the last year. No sniff of them being unsafe, as far as I know?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 12/10/2016 20:39

I don't get the "at least she's got us talking about it"

If you think what she's said is indulgent privileged earnest hand wringing crap, then that's what it is. Doesn't help anyone in Calais, quite the reverse.

Owllady · 12/10/2016 20:39

Milk, you are clearly a very good, kind person :) :(

Lightsoffplease · 12/10/2016 20:39

How had Britain destroyed nations?

Hmm Some people have no fucking clue

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:39

Lebanon has more refugees than it's own population. Aid is restricted. Same for Jordan. You assume all refugees are fucking Syrian, this is the ignorance.

We forget about Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Eritrea. Not everyone passes nearby Lebanon.

Twogoats · 12/10/2016 20:40

Her heart is in the right place. I agree that she was overwhelmed by the situation and got carried away, which she has apologised for.

I just wish that there was a perfect answer to this situation, but there isn't. Sad

perfumedlife · 12/10/2016 20:40

Lily Allen "‘I haven't heard any cases of children raping people here, I'd imagine they're far more likely to suffer at the hands of opportunist abusers.’

She got that bit right!

Lightsoffplease · 12/10/2016 20:41

How has

MilkandAssal · 12/10/2016 20:41

In the entire history of the world, you think Britain hasn't destroyed nations?! Really?

I suppose you'd have to define if killing civilians counted towards destroying nations. I'd say it did, as I've dealt with the aftermath first hand.

Unless of course we blame Syria's downfall on Russia and America.
In which case you can apologise to the woman who drowned while giving birth on their behalf.

Oh wait you can't.

KC225 · 12/10/2016 20:41

My DH works with underage minors in Sweden. We moved from the UK in 2014. In 2015 Sweden took in the highest number of refugees per capita. Yet he has has been told that his job will ending April and to start looking for other positions as by that time the 'children' the home's care (aged 14 to 18) will have turned 18. Unaccompanied minors have dropped by about 90 per cent the reason being a change in law. The child can claim asylum but he or she will be unable to claim for family and extended family to come over. This has had a massive impact as a lot of the 'children' usually boys young men. They are sent over to establish a base in order for family applications.

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