Roger Roberts calls for Parliamentary debate on refugee crisis
Originally published by East Midlands Liberal Democrats
So, the Westminster Parliament resumes on Monday after its Summer recess. The Commons debates the EU Referendum Bill, the Lords the Energy Bill. With a growing humanitarian crisis on our doorstep, though, can it really be business as usual?
Liberal Democrat peer and passionate advocate for the fair treatment of those who seek sanctuary Roger Roberts thinks not. He wants the current agenda to be postponed in favour of debates in both Houses on the crisis. He said on Facebook:
"Next Monday Parliament reconvenes. I plan to have discussions today to treat Monday as if it was for the recall of Parliament to have an emergency debate on the Refugee crisis. With many thousands of people involved in what appears to be one of the major humanitarian crises of our time.I would welcome as much support (facebook - messages to M.P.s and Peers etc) as possible.
"I think it would be good to have Parliaments in Scotland and Wales debate the issue too, especially if they are able to say that they are happy to take refugees in their areas.
"Even the Labour Party is now saying that we should be doing more to help these people and Yvette Cooper has even put a number, 10,000, on it. They have taken their time but we should be prepared to work with them if they are prepared to take a more humanitarian position. This is something that needs a common approach to combat the domination of the UKIP/Tory/right wing media view in the media".
If you support Roger's call for Parliament to debate the issue, do contact your MP or any peers you know and sign the petition below