Calderdale Council: Britain should do more to help Syrians

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Janet Battye (Calder) told us: “We’re not talking here about the wider problem of people trying to get to Europe from North Africa, but specifically about Syrians displaced by the conflict in their own country; those understandably in fear of their lives, caught between the actions of their government on the one hand and a barbaric cult on the other.”

“Britain is a relatively rich nation and we believe that the government could do more, and that the council should play its part in giving people a warm welcome here. Accepting people directly from the refugee camps around the Syrian borders will not encourage the people traffickers so much in evidence elsewhere.”

“The Council debate brought out the best and the worst in people. There are clearly those who think the country and council are doing enough, and those who think that more could be done. We are in the latter group and are proud to be saying that this country needs to be doing more to show compassion for those experiencing such dreadful hardships”, said Coun Battye.