The heart-breaking image of a dead child washed ashore on a Turkish beach shocked the world today, now Tooting MP Sadiq Khan has joined the thousands of people petitioning the government to accept more refugees.
The petition, launched by the Independent newspaper, calls on PM David Cameron to make changes to current policy to accept a ‘fair share’ of refugees into Britain.
Mr Khan has supported the demand, along with more than 100,000 other Britons, and tweeted a picture of himself holding a sign saying ‘refugees welcome’.
He said: “Where we lead, others follow. David Cameron, we can and must do more.”
Where we lead, others follow. David Cameron, we can & must do more. #refugeeswelcome https://t.co/VJ6rGD7FQc pic.twitter.com/VExt4prRUO
— Sadiq Khan MP (@SadiqKhan) September 3, 2015
The petition states: “Millions of men, women and children are fleeing the Middle East and Africa to find safety in the West. “The Independent believes Britain must no longer turn a blind eye to their plight and must work with other European Union countries to set and welcome a quota of refugees.”
For centuries the UK has been a welcome home to refugees – now is not the time to forget our humanity & history. Govt must act now. — Sadiq Khan MP (@SadiqKhan) September 2, 2015
Although David Cameron said he was ‘deeply moved’ by the death of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old whose tragic death made international headlines, he has yet to state any policy changes.
Late last month his move to send reinforcements, including police dogs and more fences, to Calais where a makeshift camp of refugees attempting to enter the UK has sprung up, drew fierce criticism.
Picture courtesy of Sadiq Khan, with thanks
