Councillor ‘saddened’ by refugee comments

--------------

ANTI-refugee comments on social media in the wake of a decision to house people escaping war-torn Syria in the area are not representative of the majority locally, insists a leading councillor.

A number of people took to Facebook to condemn the announcement by Monmouth­shire County Council, claiming that British people should be housed first.

But Cllr Dale Rooke – who is Mayor of Chepstow but was responding in a personal capacity – said he “could not believe” some of the posts and found some online support for his comments.

The Labour councillor for the Thornwell ward told the Review: “I don’t think those type of comments are at all representative of the wider community.

“You are always going to have that portion of the community that feels hard done by, who may have been on the housing list for several years and may feel others are getting preference over them.

“That is a consequence of the lack of investment in social housing across the entire country, not just Monmouthshire.

“I can certainly understand why they are upset and frustrated and angry with the system.

“Maybe the system needs changing, maybe the continual cuts to council budgets have left us short on the infrastructure we need to be able to offer these people.

“But I find it difficult to understand how people cannot feel any empathy for what people are fleeing from.

“The refugees have been treated dreadfully by their own authorities and people traffickers. “These people are fleeing and they need our help – at least give them a roof over their heads and somewhere safe and secure. They may not be British, but they are human, and need our help: not the bitterness, selfishness and vitriol spouted by other Chepstonians. It saddens me greatly.

“It’s difficult when our own people are struggling and there is no easy fix.”

At its recent meeting, Monmouthshire County Council agreed to tell the government that it was prepared to accept Syrian refugees.

Council leader Cllr Peter Fox (Con, Portskewett) said he had received a petition with 170 names from Chepstow supporting the authority on taking refugees as well as letters from individuals offering room in their homes.

He said: “We need to signal Monmouthshire’s will to offer humanitarian aid and to make Her Majesty’s Government aware that we are interested in joining the Syrian Vulnerable People Relocation Scheme.”

He said it was not known how many refugees the county could take and discussions will have to take place with the government.