Mr Cameron’s Greek Philosophy

August 21, 2012

I have recently returned from a visit to Greece. When I got back a couple of months ago I was hit by headlines like this; ‘David Cameron prepared to halt immigration of Greeks into UK’

I will start by confessing that I am proud to be a fully paid up member of the “Bleeding Heart liberal (small L) Club”.

Greece is a country I fell in love with when Gina and I took a 2-3 year sailing sabbatical and ended up there. We loved it so much that we left our wee boat there to give us an excuse to keep returning.

The vast majority of our experiences of Greece have been very positive. The only notable exception was seeing the plight of illegal immigrants in the Greek Aegean Islands. In places the Greek islands are only a few hundred yards from the Turkish coast and these spots have become favoured by people traffickers. The following are 3 extracts from the blog I kept at the time:-

• “While on the Island of Lesvos Gina and I hired a motorbike in Mithimna to do a bit of sight-seeing. We set out on a so called “main road” and soon found ourselves in trouble. After about 3 miles the road became a dirt track which then became a minor off road course. Things got really bad when we saw a military speed limit notice giving the maximum speeds for tanks and jeeps (true!). Our wee 125cc bike was designed for nipping stylishly about town, not moto-cross!

Nonetheless the views across the straits to Turkey were glorious in the morning sun. The sea was a deep blue-black with only the shallows being a rich azure and the sun sending golden streaks of light across the surface. Despite the dangers of off-roading on a moped, we were rather enjoying the ride – well Gina was, I was wondering if Mitilini Lidls had a cheap line in underpants! Then we noticed what looked like a walking group up ahead (Lesvos is full of athletic, middle aged, Northern European walking groups) however to our shock we saw that they were about 30 African men wearing cheap, grubby, multi coloured “designer” tracksuits looking incredibly frazzled and worn-out.

Clearly they were illegal immigrants. A boat had landed them during the night. They were carrying small rucksacks which must have contained all their worldly possessions. It is one of the saddest sights that we had ever seen. These men were probably the cream of their local communities. Back home, they were the ones with ambition and get-up and go. They had begged, stolen, borrowed and worked their nuts off just to afford to pay the ruthless traffickers for the journey. They hoped they could improve the lives of themselves and their families. Wives, girlfriends, children and families had all been left at home. Presumably there had been celebrations and they left on a wave of optimism. Those tearful parties would seem a long way behind them now as they trudged their weary, sleep-starved way along a dusty, rutted back-road in one of Europe’s poorest countries. A country which has serious employment problems of its own and can ill-afford to deal with this influx dumped, by the profiteering people traffickers, on their doorstep.

Although they did not know it yet they were destined to be either deported back or, after a spell in one of the bleak island internment centres, to find themselves in the minor criminal underworld touting second rate, hopelessly inappropriate, tourist trinkets for middle class Europeans in the holiday centres of the Mediterranean.

When we arrived at Skala Sikamineas, after about 9 miles of off -roading, we found ourselves in a beautiful fishing hamlet with a tiny harbour, vine trellissed Tavernas and a pretty church. It also had a large coastguard cutter moored up and a number of armed coastguards wandering around. Another coastguard cutter was just pulling into the harbour. Clearly they had a tip off about the party of Africans.

We had been contemplating stopping for a coffee to get the dust out of our throats but could not bear to stay and see those poor souls arrested. The only groups who normally visit this lovely fishing village are tourists on fun boat trips out of Petra and Mythimna. They turn up here, swim, party, sunbathe and then depart having experienced this attractively rustic and friendly wee port. Sadly this group of Africans would have a very different experience. We left hastily. The sight of these refugees cast a blight on our stay on Lesvos.”

• “On arrival at Ay Yeoryiou on Agathonisi we found the port to be a pretty, sleepy, little place with a Taverna, and a few houses – just what we were looking for. The quay was filled with 3 coastguard cutters, one Brit yacht and what looked like a small ferry with a queue of people sat around waiting for it to go. However, the main anchorage was empty so we anchored and started getting lunch organised. As we took in our surroundings we realised that all was not as idyllic as we had supposed. The ferry was actually an impounded Turkish fishing boat. The queue of passengers was a group of about 50 illegal immigrants and they were being dealt with by the crews of the 3 coastguard boats.

The group of immigrants looked Asian. This was the 5th time we had seen the coastguard dealing with smuggled people. Previously it was just groups of young men. However, on this occasion it was mainly families, some with babies and young kids. The coastguards seemed to be dealing with them sympathetically but it was still an unedifying sight. Kids and parents huddled together nervously in family groups. Parents trying to keep the whole situation as calm and normal as possible while the coastguards tried to get them organised. All in all the attraction of staying in Ay Yeoryiou was starting to disappear as we watched this portrait of human misery.”

• “In its past Salonika (Thessalonika), Greece’s second city, has seen huge cultural changes. In Ottoman times and up until the second world war it was renowned for its tolerance of the diverse ethnic communities in which Greeks were often in the minority.

It is a city in which, historically, the various races rubbed along OK, despite the appalling, and racist, Ottoman bureaucracy. Generally the Jews were the largest group in the city until it was taken by the Nazis in 1941 and they were mostly transported away and systematically murdered at Auschwitz.

Nowadays it is a very modern city with a strong café culture and some of the best restaurants in Greece. In the evening we were sat in a café bar having dinner when we noticed that an African guy was wandering around selling pirate CDs. We fell into conversation with this delightful character with a huge smile and about a hectare of uncontrolled wiry hair springing from his head. He told us that he had been in Greece for 3 years since illegally arriving from Nigeria. We asked him how things were going for him now and he said “When I learned to survive the hate, things started going OK”. Needless to say we bought a few CDs. “

So, when I got home a couple of months ago and saw that Theresa May and David Cameron were planning to turn away Greeks, who, under the various EU treaties, had the right for free movement throughout the EU, I dwelt on these experiences . It was clear that our government was generating that same hate and fear that had been described to us in Thessalonika, in order to get public opinion on their side.

On the Greek Islands we saw a very different attitude to these immigrants. In many supermarkets there were trolleys where shoppers could, and did, deposit food and other essentials for those in the internment camps. We also witnessed many acts of kindness by the Greek Coastguards who are responsible for rounding up illegal immigrants.

One of the pleasures of our travels was that we got to meet a lot of Brits who reside in the countries around the Mediterranean. In every country we visited (Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece) we met some delightful and often adventurous characters who had decided to make these countries their home. In some cases (mostly the Spanish Costas and some Greek Islands) they were part of a larger Brit community and tended to live in Brit ghettoes. In others they had fully integrated into the indigenous population.

Without exception they admitted few regrets about leaving the UK behind. Mostly they were retired and were able to benefit from the facilities that each country offered them. In many instances they made no more than minimal contributions to taxation in their chosen abode but were all happy to take advantage of their health services, infrastructure etc.

What will happen to these people as the economies of the Med countries become insolvent? Will these financially challenged governments continue to support them after Cameron has slammed the door in the faces of their native citizens? I think not.

This conjures up a bleak thought that we might soon see some of the brightest and the best from the Southern EU marching careworn and dusty from the beaches of the Isle of Wight, Islay and Mull in search of a better future for themselves and their families. Will there be Borders Agency boats regularly patrolling our shores to round up and intern people who, until Cameron decided to trample on our treaty obligations, had a perfect right to be here? Is it possible that we could see Greek and Portuguese young men selling tartan trinkets and fake designer watches on the streets of Inveraray and Oban? Will ageing Brits be hounded out of those countries that Cameron has offended by his overtly selective and dubiously legal policies?

The Prime Minister is not against all immigrants and has thoughtfully said that there will be a let out clause for some. If they are preceded here by a nice meaty bank balance and claim that they are fleeing the stringent tax regimes of their native lands, apparently Messrs Cameron and Osborne will put out the red carpet – so that’s alright then?

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Goodbye Neighbourhood Networks – Or Perhaps “Au Revoir”

August 27, 2011

On the 19th of August Neighbourhood Networks service ceased in Oban and Lochgilphead.

Argyll and Bute Council have removed the budget and disposed of them in a knee jerk reaction, a piece of classic short term thinking. Their progressive, simple, inexpensive and revolutionary system of support will be lost to many vulnerable people who will now be in increased danger of harm as a result of the loss of this support.

Neighbourhood Networks operates primarily with those whose vulnerability results from learning disability. Their Community Living Workers organise small groups of folk who live within a reasonable distance of one another. This gives opportunities for developing mutually supporting social fellowships for those who might otherwise find themselves excluded from other social networks.

As a result, these individuals become more confident, assertive, self reliant, mutually protective and develop a voice of their own in the communities in which they live. The work done by Neighbourhood Networks community living workers is far from easy. Initially they have to identify those in need of their services, gain their trust, persuade them to come forward and meet with others. Then the hard work really starts. They have to develop trust between the members of the group, organise activities and social gatherings for them and, gradually, as confidence grows, move more into the background, but always be there to keep the network going.

This cut is a particularly unpleasant piece of council nastiness. At a time when disability benefits are under threat, when ATOS are doing their best to prove that even the most disabled are fit for work (for jobs that don’t exist) and when the black clouds of uncertainty about the future are depressing everyone, vulnerable adults really need the fellowship and help that Neighbourhood Networks is so professional at creating.

I was at a meeting in Lochgilphead where John Dalrymple, Neighbourhood Networks Director, addressed a mixed audience of Councillors, social care professionals, carers and, most importantly, service users. He told us the unpleasant facts about Argyll and Bute council’s decision to dump Neighbourhood Networks and then allowed the debate to flow.

He was preaching to the converted, all of us at that meeting were supportive of his cause. The most impressive part of the meeting was the contribution made by those who use the Neighbourhood Networks service. They spoke confidently and with obvious passion about their need for, and love of, the service. At one point John told us that they were contemplating a judicial review of the council’s decision. He asked “if we were up for the fight?”. While the rest of us were sheepishly looking at one another and wondering about the implications, a quiet voice piped up “I certainly am” it was one of the service users. She was rapidly followed by the other members of the Lochgilphead Network. A Churchillian speech could not have been more eloquent than those few voices confidently declaring their readiness for the battle ahead.

So, goodbye Neighbourhood Networks. Goodbye John, Becs and Margaret and thankyou for everything you have done for our communities. I have no doubt that we will see you back when more sensible heads rule at Kilmory.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Tarbert – A Village at War with Technology Giants

August 9, 2011

What has Tarbert, Loch Fyne, done to upset Vodafone and Google? None of us who live here have any idea why these two giant corporations seem intent on destroying our local economy and want to keep us incommunicado with the outside world.

This morning the Vodafone signal is down for the umpteenth time in recent months. Sometimes it can be out for weeks at a time. It has been happening for years and is now a regular occurrence. Vodafone don’t seem to care that it is the sole means of communication for many of our 2000 plus citizens nor do Vodafone care that it is the chosen supplier for many who work for the emergency services. Despite complaints, a campaign by our local paper and even an anti Vodafone Facebook page, Vodafone continues to offer a dangerously poor level of service and reliability to our population.

Google, the main means of finding out how to get to towns and village in remote rural areas, absolutely refuses to acknowledge Tarbert’s existence. There are around 12 communities named Tarbert or Tarbet in Scotland. Tarbert on Loch Fyne is by far the largest. Despite this Google continues to ignore us. Thus, when anyone wants to find us on Google Maps they are directed to other Tarberts. Google even refuse to put the name of our village on their map. The area is just called Carse for some obscure reason lost in history.

We have written letters, complained to our MSPs, had articles published in local and national Newspapers. Despite this Google continues to arrogantly ignore our pleas and insist that we don’t exist.

To many folk this may seem to be a quaint wee technological oddity but to our largest industry, the tourism industry, it is a major blow.
Perhaps Google and Vodafone really love Tarbert and want to keep it a secret known only to themselves? Maybe Google and Vodafone feel that our beautiful harbour, ancient castle (once a parliament for Robert the Bruce) and award winning seafood are too good to let the world know of its existence.

Whatever the reason, Vodafone and Google continue to make their billions while their neglect and indifference allows our local economy to crash and burn.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Ban Urban Politicians from Rural Policy Making

June 21, 2011

In a more equal and just society all of us would have equal access to public services. Since the inception of the Labour party this has been a key driving force. It is why people join the party and vote for it.

So, why is the party so unsuccessful in rural areas? Why does it command such small memberships and numbers of activists in these communities. It wasn’t always the case. The Labour movement sprung from rural mining communities fighting injustice, poor wages and appalling conditions of work.
Scottish Labour seems to have deserted its rural communities entirely. It now regards Rural Affairs as doing something supportive for those nice farmers, fishermen and foresters – the three Fs. Its rural policies can’t be bothered with the nasty tourism industry, despite the fact that it gives more rural employment and has more potential members than the 3 Fs added together. Nor does it appear to care about small business, rural infrastructure, diversifying the rural economy or the unique problems of delivering public services to our remote and rural areas.

Under Tony Blair/Donald Dewar, for a time, we did a lot of good for rural UK, particularly rural Scotland and came up with a number of progressive policies. The Land Reform Act, the Minimum Wage, much better access to public services, the Disability Discrimination Act and many other initiatives all had a very positive impact on rural life.

However, despite this, the Labour Party has increasingly been seen as an urban party. With the Tory brand becoming highly toxic since 1997 the main beneficiaries of Labour’s failure to identify with rural UK were the LibDems who increasingly took over the mantle of “rural party” from the Tories.
Here in Argyll and Bute Scottish Labour membership dropped to dangerously low levels in the latter years of the Blair/Brown era. Small it might have been, but in the 2010 general election the Argyll and Bute CLP managed to increase its vote in a very bad election for Labour. In the aftermath its membership increased by 20% and the number of activists by 50%. This new membership was made up of long term Labour supporters wanting to get more active and disillusioned rural Lib Dems who saw Scottish Labour as sharing their values . Many also saw the SNP as having similar values but were dubious about supporting a left of centre party whose driving forces were nationalism and the break up of the UK. They also saw the rise of the ultra nats on the internet and in other media as particularly threatening.

As a result Scottish Labour really should have had a clear run at the 2011 Scottish Elections. To us in Argyll and Bute it was obvious that if we were to increase our share of the vote then we would have to go all out for the disillusioned LibDem vote. Not so the Scottish Labour strategists who worked hard at urban issues (knife crime) and Nat bashing. We published a Rural Affairs manifesto which tried to sort out the problems of the 3Fs but said nothing about rural poverty, access to public services, tourism, rural small business, rural infrastructure, rural employment (outside the 3Fs) or anything else closely related to what real rural voters want. The only Scottish Labour policy which attracted positive comments here was the National Care Service. We were asked how this was going to be delivered to remote and rural parts but really had no answer that didn’t sound very costly.

In Argyll and Bute, on the doorsteps, the main issues were the forthcoming loss of access to public services (particularly rural school closures), jobs, carers rights, small business support, and slashing of almost every form of service or benefit to vulnerable adults. Not a single soul asked us about farm subsidies, forestry investment or fishing quotas. The only 3Fs issue which came up was a hotelier asking why we couldn’t have more local abbatoirs so that he and the farmers could have an arrangement which would allow him to add locally raised meat to his menus.

If Labour is to win in rural constituencies it needs to address the problems of working voters in these areas. It needs policies which are aimed at overcoming the problems of rural poverty, rural unemployment, rural public services. We need to take back the Land Reform act from the SNP and show that we are not an urban party who thinks that one size fits all for both rural and urban constituencies. We need to acknowledge the differences, come up with a progressive Rural Affairs manifesto and aggressively promote it in rural constituencies.

It seems to me that Scottish rural policy is made by urban politicians whose only connection with rural affairs is gained by listening to The Archers. It is vital that rural policy is made by those whose everyday existence is spent living and working in Rural Scotland.

It is gin clear, to those of us in rural constituencies, that we need a comprehensive rural manifesto that covers all aspects of country life with the detailed and specific emphasis on how Scottish Labour will deliver equal access to public services and benefits in our remote and rural areas.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »