Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think history will judge the U.K. over ukraine

260 replies

Letshaveablackcelebration · 10/03/2022 07:01

I am so ashamed at how the U.K. is the only country in Europe effectively closing its doors to Ukrainian refugees. These are mostly women and children fleeing a country that has collapsed in the space of 2 weeks. A maternity hospital was bombed yesterday.

The rest of Europe is opening its arms and helping in every way it can but the U.K. had pretty much slammed the door, made it as difficult as possible to come. The U.K. signed the refugee convention in the 50’s that said that people fleeing war don’t need tons of paperwork and yet that’s exactly what they are asking people for.

I feel so embarrassed when everyone else is helping that we are doing nothing- we are an outlier in Europe.

I hate what this country has become under this disgusting government. I see so many posts on social media or brits wanting to do more.

OP posts:
LondonWolf · 10/03/2022 09:53

You like immigration but don’t like people being able to claim asylum?

Where did I say this?

Go back and read my posts and address them as written, not as you've hysterically judged them to mean in order to fit me into your simplistic "RACIST!" box. You're confused for a reason. You lack critical thinking skills and that's not an insult. It's clear. Don't worry though you're in the majority these days...

LondonWolf · 10/03/2022 09:53

.Refugees predominantly want refuge. If they had a choice they overwhelmingly want to live in outward-looking, open-minded London or other similar cities. They don't want to live in [*]!

What like Paris? They were turned back at Calais I believe...

Iggly · 10/03/2022 09:53

Sorry, I’ve clearly touched a nerve @LondonWolf

Smile
Iggly · 10/03/2022 09:57

I will admit. I’m confused because you don’t really explain why you don’t like the idea of people coming to seek asylum. Your logic seems to be “but they’ve told all their mates to come here”.

It’s difficult to understand. 🤷🏻‍♀️

worriedatthistime · 10/03/2022 09:57

@LondonWolf its more prominent on here than in real life
I bet many of them are just virtue signallers and do nothing for these people in real life and just blame other people for things happening
Many wealthy people don't distribute their wealth but expect others too as they are more wealthy
I have written to my mp about the situation asking for change doing something pro active
And i think we will u turn hugely on this as public opinion is strong
Your right the other thread is very true , people call names as soon as someone disagrees and turn it around to be a comment that suits only their narrative
For many on here only there way if thinking is right

Iggly · 10/03/2022 09:57

@LondonWolf

.Refugees predominantly want refuge. If they had a choice they overwhelmingly want to live in outward-looking, open-minded London or other similar cities. They don't want to live in [***]!

What like Paris? They were turned back at Calais I believe...

But maybe they’ve got family or friends here already….

What’s wrong with that?

BeHappy91818 · 10/03/2022 09:58

We are a tiny island that already has over 67 million people living on it with a huge homelessness problem.

How about we house all the people that live here first before welcoming more.

A lot of other countries are far bigger and don’t have remotely the same amount of people living on it already.

Iggly · 10/03/2022 09:59

@BeHappy91818

We are a tiny island that already has over 67 million people living on it with a huge homelessness problem.

How about we house all the people that live here first before welcoming more.

A lot of other countries are far bigger and don’t have remotely the same amount of people living on it already.

You’re naive if you think it’s the refugee crisis causing homelessness.
PenStation · 10/03/2022 10:00

@LondonWolf

You can’t seem to grasp what others are patiently trying to explain to you…you don’t differentiate between immigrants and people seeking asylum. You don’t show empathy for people who are traumatized and have potentially lost everything. If you really work for the NHS I sincerely hope it is not in a patient facing role.

BeHappy91818 · 10/03/2022 10:01

@Iggly - where did I say the refugee crisis was causing the homelessness Confused

I said we already have enough people here living on the streets FULL STOP! That needs to be sorted first.

madbadrad · 10/03/2022 10:02

It's dreadful. I've written to my MP about it and signed every petition going.

Bollindger · 10/03/2022 10:03

If your running away from a war, should you not stop in the nearest country and help be provided to that country to help you? Not cross many countries to get into the one that offers the most benefits to you.
After all the is so much space in The EU to help settle people...

Nutellaonall · 10/03/2022 10:04

Those who say only 5% of the land is built on. Most of our uninhabited land is in Scotland. I think you will find that that is very different story in England. In the northwest green belt is constantly getting built on. Mostly new housing estates with not enough school and amenities. I assume it’s even worse in the south east. We are heavily overpopulated. Much more so than France and Germany.
Like I said it’s a balance but the UK has always had more than it’s fair share. I am sure we will again even with restrictions. We just need to be sensible.

x2boys · 10/03/2022 10:04

I think the point is we already have a huge homeless problem ,I realise it's complex and there are lots of people who have drug and alcohol issues and can't maintain tenancies etc.
But there is also a hidden homeless problem ,with families living in B&B,s and other inadequate accommodation for far too long and this isn't being dealt with

TebayOrNotTebay · 10/03/2022 10:07

@Bollindger

If your running away from a war, should you not stop in the nearest country and help be provided to that country to help you? Not cross many countries to get into the one that offers the most benefits to you. After all the is so much space in The EU to help settle people...
Oh yes, they are coming here for the benefits, that's right. Jesus I've heard it all now.
madbadrad · 10/03/2022 10:08

Many of those wanting to reach the U.K. are doing so as part of the shambolic family scheme. It's important to consider the significant of reconnecting with family after escaping a war and experiencing such a high level of trauma. Having that love and familiarity at a time like that is more important that ever. The alternative is finding yourself cast adrift in an unfamiliar country with no one to support you. Yes you are physically safe from harm but the impact on mental health will be much worse.

ClaudineClare · 10/03/2022 10:08

Not cross many countries to get into the one that offers the most benefits to you

What benefits are you talking about?

Why should only countries near to Ukraine take refugees? We are (supposedly) united with Europe in opposition to Putin's wicked invasion. All countries need to share the fight against it, including taking in refugees.

Many refugees will have skills that the UK needs. Instead of seeing them as a burden, see them as an asset.

LondonWolf · 10/03/2022 10:09

You can’t seem to grasp what others are patiently trying to explain to you…you don’t differentiate between immigrants and people seeking asylum. You don’t show empathy for people who are traumatized and have potentially lost everything. If you really work for the NHS I sincerely hope it is not in a patient facing role.

Yes I can differentiate. I was addressing the idea that we are a terrible country and the general and immediate accusations of racism that my posts received. I'm not going to dissect my posts. Go back and read them. Quite clear.

Why do you hope I don't work in a patient facing role? Genuine question. What are your concerns?

Gilead · 10/03/2022 10:09

Just for information, we are not even in the top ten of most densely populated countries.

LondonWolf · 10/03/2022 10:10

What’s wrong with that?

Nothing. Why don't you go back and read my actual posts instead of the ones you and others have made up in your minds and used as an excuse to call me a racist Smile

Lesperance · 10/03/2022 10:11

@BeHappy91818

We are a tiny island that already has over 67 million people living on it with a huge homelessness problem.

How about we house all the people that live here first before welcoming more.

A lot of other countries are far bigger and don’t have remotely the same amount of people living on it already.

You are not a tiny island. 11th out of 51 countries in Europe. Bigger than Roumania, and richer too.
BeHappy91818 · 10/03/2022 10:11

@ClaudineClare

Not cross many countries to get into the one that offers the most benefits to you

What benefits are you talking about?

Why should only countries near to Ukraine take refugees? We are (supposedly) united with Europe in opposition to Putin's wicked invasion. All countries need to share the fight against it, including taking in refugees.

Many refugees will have skills that the UK needs. Instead of seeing them as a burden, see them as an asset.

We can help in other ways which we are against Russia.

However, we are already overpopulated and can’t house thousands of extra people when we have a massive homelessness problem already.

There are many more countries not nearly as populated as this tiny island we live on. They can live there.

Rosehugger · 10/03/2022 10:12

I'm sure they will take more refugees as soon as the Daily Mail says they ought to.

madbadrad · 10/03/2022 10:13

@BeHappy91818 see below.

Many of those wanting to reach the U.K. are doing so as part of the shambolic family scheme. It's important to consider the significant of reconnecting with family after escaping a war and experiencing such a high level of trauma. Having that love and familiarity at a time like that is more important that ever. The alternative is finding yourself cast adrift in an unfamiliar country with no one to support you. Yes you are physically safe from harm but the impact on mental health will be much worse.

Also consider that many of these people will live with family who are here already.

The lack of empathy of people on this thread is shocking

BeHappy91818 · 10/03/2022 10:13

@Lesperance I’m not talking just about Europe. The world is far bigger then just Europe.