Together with Refugees

Letter sent to Neil Hudson MP from P&B LibDems

Dear Dr Hudson, Together with Refugees

I am writing to you on behalf of Penrith & the Border Liberal Democrats.
People in Penrith and the Border want kindness and compassion in our own lives, in our
communities, and for others. This includes upholding the long British tradition of welcoming
people who seek asylum in the UK and giving them a chance to build a new life. We have
been happy to welcome refugees into Penrith and the Border and across Cumbria. Our
community is enriched by the economic and cultural contributions of our increasingly diverse
population - and this very much includes refugees.
We are shocked by the Government's proposals that will prevent people seeking asylum in
the UK and deny those who are waiting for a claim to be heard the means to live a dignified
life. How we treat refugees is about who we are. If any one of us feared for our lives or for our loved ones, we would want to know that others would help us to safety. This means standing up for people's ability to seek safety in the UK no matter how they came here and ensuring
people can live in dignity while they wait for a decision on their asylum application. It means
empowering refugees to build their lives and make valuable contributions to our communities.
And it means the UK working with other countries to do our bit to help people who are forced
to flee their homes.

We ask you to examine closely the proposed new Borders Bill and the evidence presented
during the consultation. In its current state, the Bill will not achieve its stated aims and will
place more people in destitution at great cost to those affected directly and our whole society.
It undermines our humanitarian values and Britain's position as a force for global co-operation.
Unless there are substantive changes to the Bill that will ensure that the needs and rights of
asylum seekers are met, we ask you to vote against it in Parliament.
Yours sincerely,

Adrian Waite