November 4th, 2020.

Lewes Lib Dems release:


Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson, James MacCleary, has today expressed his shock and distress at the news that an entire family lost their lives in the Channel while trying to reach safety in Britain.

In a letter to Maria Caulfield MP, James MacCleary argued that safe and legal routes are the best way to “combat people smuggling and human trafficking” and to prevent “dangerous attempts to cross the Channel.”

The votes come today in an amendment to the Immigration Bill just days after five people, including two young children, tragically lost their lives trying to cross the Channel. Their 15 month old toddler is still missing.

The Liberal Democrats, who are also urging the public to back their petition, want MPs to back proposals that would maintain the rights for refugees in Europe to be reunited with their families and ensure that unaccompanied child refugees can be resettled in the UK.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Lewes, James MacCleary, said: "In this constituency where the English Channel is so much part of our lives and livelihood, we are only too aware that the sea can be deadly. We are faced with knowing that the tragedies, which could be averted, are unfolding just a few miles offshore from our homes.

"As a parent with a 15 month old daughter I find it unbearable to imagine the desperation that must have driven this family to flee their home in Iran and seek refuge on our shores. They never made it and we should be doing much more to ensure that this tragedy isn't repeated.

"Our priority must be to save lives, and that means providing safe and legal routes to sanctuary in the UK for refugees. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and ask how we as one of the world's great nations have become so lacking in self-confidence that we can no longer find the generosity to support families in such desperate need.

"For Maria Caulfield, that means doing the only decent thing and voting to maintain the rights for refugees in Europe to be reunited with their families and ensure that unaccompanied child refugees can be resettled in the UK."

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: "Within just the last few days, yet more people have tragically lost their lives trying to cross the Channel. It is utterly heartbreaking, especially for the friends and families left behind.

"It’s hard to imagine how desperate people must be to climb into these boats in search of a better life. It just isn't right that vulnerable people are left no choice but to make these perilous attempts.”


A Liberal Democrat petition can be found at www.libdems.org.uk/refugees