New Liberal Democrat proposals include allowing 50,000 more Syrian refugees into the UK, says leader Tim Farron.
Criticising the minimal efforts undertaken by Theresa May, the Lib Dem leader said when visiting a refugee charity in Cheltenham: “The Britain I love is an open, tolerant, united country with a generous spirit and compassion for those in need. I love my country – and I hate it when my government makes me feel ashamed.”
“Faced with suffering and trauma on a scale not seen since the Second World War, Theresa May has wilfully chosen to tear up her promises to help some of the most vulnerable children and people in the world,”
“In the last two years, I have visited refugees in Calais, Lesbos and Macedonia. I’ve looked these refugees in the eye and seen their suffering. By committing to taking 10,000 Syrian refugees a year and reopening Dubs we can do our part to ease that suffering.”
Under the current programme, the UK only has to allow the entry of 20,000 Syrian vulnerable persons over five years. She also ended the transfer of children under the Dubs amendment earlier this year, claiming that the authorities had reached their capacities.
“We believe the British people are better than the Conservative party are making us out to be.” said Farron.
He has also called upon the Labour government to match the Lib Dem proposals.
“Labour should match this, this is a challenge to other parties and particularly to the government,” he said. “I think we need a strong opposition and you only get that with a clear alternative, this is our clear alternative.”
This announcement is part of a wider increase in health spending, that the Lib Dems announced last week. The money for this will be funded through increasing income tax by 1p, which will raise £6 billion annually.