The Moral Panic of Calais

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Calais Migrants France UK EU Security

Only a few weeks ago, I found myself sitting on the ‘This Morning’ settee! Opposite me was Eamon Holmes & Ruth Langsford.

We were talking about the Calais ‘crisis’ and the threat of the so-called 'migrant' invasion.

I was there to inform Consumers about their Travel Rights and I was sat next to a security expert who was there to describe what should be done about the situation.

I remember thinking at the time that it was somewhat absurd for me to be sitting there talking about Consumer Rights but understood that the queues of holidaymakers and freight traffic needed to find a way to navigate around the impasse in their travel plans. I remember thinking that I couldn't understand why ordinary people were being made to suffer the consequences of Calais; what political or commercial game was being played?

My unease was increased when Ruth made some incisive comments about the need for humanity in this situation.

The discussion then turned on whether there was a need to bring in the army and expose the 'migrants' to the water-cannon; Ruth considered however that there was a need to reflect upon the individual stories of each migrant (I agreed) and the many thousands of miles that some had travelled to the north of France.

Later that day I was walking through Shepherds Bush in the great hotpot that is London. Many different types of nationalities passed me by; many exotic businesses were flourishing! As I was walking down the Uxbridge Road it was clear that the local community, with all their glorious religious, social structures and imperfections, were clearly at ease with one another.

It then occurred to me; the question had been asked on the programme: ‘why do people want to come to the UK?’ – it’s simple – they feel safe!

They also feel safe in France, Germany, Holland in fact, migrants feel safe when they arrive in any of the 28 Member States because no-one is trying to impose an ideology on them or worse trying to kill them and their families!

Who could blame them; we cannot imagine the horrors that they have endured – why they felt the need to leave their homes – why they felt the need to take great personal risks to get here?

I suspect the reasons offered by many of those who come to the European Union in 2015, are in fact the same as those offered by the many thousands of young Irish men and women who left the Republic after the Second World War; escaping an impoverished country, no industry, a politic heavily influenced by the Catholic Church and a lack of space to dream. Those Irish who came to this country were not welcomed either and whilst I could tell you what happened to my parents, the poem 'No Irish Need Apply' tells the whole story!

At the time I was on TV I was conflicted because I was there representing a brand and wanted to stay on message and had to resist the urge to bring into focus the scale of the reaction against the extent of the threat. The discussion was about several hundred people against 2 State's security apparatus.

Being a retired police officer and having being in very many threat situations, the talk on the sofa's of military action was frankly absurd. The following weeks have revealed a political and journalistic froth, each competing with each other to label the 'hordes' as migrants or economic migrants or potential terrorists or refugees.

Let's think about this carefully, the reason why Europe has been confronted with dead children on beaches, sinking boats and thousands trying to cross borders, is because of the failures of our elected politicians, over many years, to help a people against opposing sides of tyranny. Instead, our politicians and those that support them, are using the 'crisis' to pull up the draw-bridge, attack the political institution that is Europe and I have a strong sense, to bring us into a war. The refugee is the new 'red under the bed' and the creation of this moral panic is ripping the core of our very society our humanity and our fundamental ideals.

The unravelling of our society and indeed Europe's ethos, has given birth to a range of extreme opinion, intent on fomenting discord on a population whose instinct is to reach out and help their fellow man. If you think that this is sheer fantasy, then read this article from Nick Cohen and ask yourself; am I really being equipped with accurate information and analysis about the refugee situation or am I part of the problem? The answer to that question will determine how you will react to the growing crisis in the weeks and months ahead!