Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
Last Saturday members of Dover Labour party marched in Dover according to Kentonline.The march was in support of open borders and refugees.Peter Wallace fresh from his worthwhile attempt to save the Immigration Removal Centre was there with John Heron and other members of DLP also other progressive groups..The weather was awful but they looked cheerful.Makes a change to have cheerful marchers and protesters instead of drunken Edl/BNP hooligans.
My question to Pam Brivio is Open Borders the new policy of Dover and Deal Labour Party?
Of course with refugees the UK has international and U.N.obligations to help people in need.A debate on numbers is on going in light of 12 Syrian families coming to Dover District and the Archbishop of Dover Trevor Wilmont among 84 bishops who wrote a letter to David Cameron asking for at least an extra 50,000 people on top of the 20,000 people already agreed.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Couple of points here, firstly Peter is only trying to help with employment for the staff of the removal centre not campaigning to save it. Secondly there were various groups on the march including anti austerity campaigners, I doubt anyone in the main political parties is in favour of open borders.
Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
Howard why did you not report about the march? You normally have your finger on the pulse of Dover.
Peter and John were marching with posters saying Open Borders and Refugees Welcome.I have no problem with that.Its democracy. If the centre is closing I expect all our representives to help staff.I tweeted John Heron last night he confirmed the march purpose.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I can't really see the point of some of these marches Peter besides it was raining so that killed off any interest I had. Surprised to see Peter and John support open borders, I doubt that the national party and more importantly the security services would approve.
Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
Howard,the march had hundreds of people on it..I think it will be featured in the Dover Express and Dover Mercury tomorrow.
If you look on the Dover Express and Kentonline websites its there.The march was under the banner of Open Dover.Open Europe,Open Borders.. Dover and Deal Labour party are second in the procession of marchers..The groups who attended were Green Party branches,Unite,Socialist Workers Party,London Action for Palestine and Class war etc.Some were wearing masks or scarves on their faces.
Its worth noting it is Green Party and Socialist Workers Party policy for open borders..Its not illegal for this policy.
According to the websites it appears Dover and Deal Labour party were the only ones from the Labour party there.This I cannot verify..
My question for Pam Brivio and Peter Wallace also John Heron is,Do they support open borders. A answer of Yes or No will be fine.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
You are being rather optimistic Peter, Pam won't respond as politicians do not get drawn in on arguments that would show them in a bad light as you would know being a master yourself.
Moving on to Peter and John I totally disagree with their crass stance on the open borders issue but fully support the tireless work they do in my ward. The bus route,finding a location for a play area, Folkestone Road hub, clean ups, surgeries and knocking on doors to speak to people and more importantly listen to their concerns. Perhaps one day your party's councillor will join in?
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,875
In this case I think any politician who goes on such a march obviously supports what they are marching so I guess they do..
As there is no denial or even a typical sit on the fence comment to the question Peter asks, again surely the answer must be yes.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Chris- Forum Admin
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Oct 2009
- Posts: 357
John has sent in a reply to the above comments, which was also
posted on Twitter:
"Good evening Peter. I felt it was important that Dover was not solely represented in the media by the previous marches."
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,875
Chris Tutthill wrote:John has sent in a reply to the above comments, which was also
posted on Twitter:
"Good evening Peter. I felt it was important that Dover was not solely represented in the media by the previous marches."
Ah! A typical sit on the fence comment that we have grown to expect but not love from politicians that only fool those willing to be fooled.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Was that an answer or what? John must have a box set of "Yes minister" programmes and studied Sir Humphrey.
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
You should know me better than that Howard.That was not written in reply to Peter's comments on here.That was and is my original reply to his question on Twitter on the 20th.Peter is a very naughhhhhhhhhhhty gentleman trying to twist my words.
P.S. It is good to be back.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Welcome back John, do you have an answer to Peter's question that you support open borders? The question as to whether the local party supports it is a bit of a red halibut as policy is made in head office.
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Howard,all I can give is my own personal reason's for going on the march.I wanted to demonstrate that the right to march in my home town is exactly that, my right.It is not a privilege held exclusively by those on the far right of British politics.A point that Peter Ripley agreed with me on.My reply to him at the time 'I felt it was important that Dover was not solely represented in the media by the previous marches' was not ment to be fatuous or glib,but heart felt and passionate.I want those that are beyond the confines of our town to recognise that we are still a tolerant and fair minded community, no matter what we have been through.Things that we are never given the credit for in the national media.
With regards to the open boarders issue.I believe that the march was not about open boarders,but there were many groups there,but to highlight the plight of the refugees that have desperately sort sanctuary away from the areas of conflict.Do I think that there is a systemic failure in how we are dealing with this issue,yes, hence the reason I was marching.Open boarders? I don't think that would be a constructive or workable answer and it also smacks of Neo-Liberalism..
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
john,as far as I can see,its a plight of there own making.if they want a safe haven why not stay and fight for it like we did in the last 2 world wars.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,875
Well said Brian.
Young children accompanied by other family members I can understand but the majority seem to be healthy young men. I am sure that there are enough to provide a fair sized army amongst those who have fled to Europe.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
If we are talking about the ones in Calais then I would hope that none would be allowed entry into the UK. Seems pretty obvious that they are just economic migrants with many of them being of a violent disposition as truckers, motorists and the local police would confirm. Very different are the ones in refugee camps in countries bordering Syria where we have sent lots of money and promised to take 20,000 of them into our country.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard I was referring to all of them.
Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
According to Bridget Chapman the Main speaker at the march said the people and political organizations of Dover who want Open Borders and who Welcome Refugees requested for the march to take place.
Another Speaker was DDC Cllr Sue Hill ,Buckland ward.
Another speaker was Shepway District Cllr Claire Jeffery,a friend of Peter Wallace
Another speaker was Bunny La Roche of the Socialist Workers Party
The Dover District Councillors in attendance at the march were Cllr Sue Hill,Cllr Peter Wallace,Cllr John Heron, Kingsdown Parish Councillor Barbra Hansom.It is alleged DDC Cllr Pam Brivio and other unnamed councillors were there.
The main slogan chanted by the marchers was,Tories Out,Migrants In.
The next day of action by the Open Borders movement will be this Saturday 24th Oct it will be at the Eurostar Terminal in London.I am sure John Heron and co now of this.
Guest 1590- Registered: 22 Oct 2015
- Posts: 86
Peter,that reply reminds of the poem `Not waving,but drowning'.
Guest 943- Registered: 15 May 2013
- Posts: 449
Good Evening John.I hope you are well..You must have a strange sense of humour #19. Appropriate?
