FIERCE debate has been caused by the suggestion that Stroud should take in refugees who are seeking asylum in the UK.

In this week's SNJ, Green Party members in Stroud called on the UK government to do more to help evenly distribute migrants entering the EU.

They suggested that if the UK stuck to EU migrant quotas for each member state, it would equate to Stroud taking in just 10 people or three families over the next two years.

“We are dealing with other humans and we should welcome our responsibility as the eighth richest country on the planet to help, rather than add to their suffering,” they said in an open letter.

While many praised the Greens for the proposal, the idea also faced a strong backlash online.

On the SNJ website, reader Salendine said the UK had a responsibility to help refugees escape the “appalling conditions” in their war-torn countries.

Others agreed, saying that Stroud taking in just 10 people in two years was a reasonable suggestion.

But reader Haloge disagreed, saying: “While I fully appreciate the horrors from which many people are freeing, may I suggest that more people should be encouraged to leave the UK before the same horrors start happening here?

“As we, as a nation, can't provide decent homes and jobs for the people already here, I don't see any sense in adding to an already intolerable condition.”

Phyllus Jones added: “The UK has a predicted population growth of 10 million people within the next few decades. It simply does not have the room or resources to absorb ever more people.”

Greg Kane said: “World inequalities and injustices have been at emergency level for a very long time and the migrant crisis isn't helping.”

He suggested root problems causing the crisis, such as rapid population growth, the subjugation of women and the actions of totalitarian regimes had to be dealt with at source.

jimboweston142 called the idea “short sighted”.

“How many empty council houses has Stroud got to offer these refugees?” he asked.

“Especially at a time when locals wait years on a waiting list for a decent home that is affordable. Surely this is a warning that Stroud needs to sort itself out before offering homes to refuges and migrants.”

The Green members who penned the letter are Molly Scott Cato, an MEP for the South West, mayor of Stroud Kevin Cranston, county councillor Sarah Lunnon, and Martin Whiteside and John Marjoram, the leader and deputy leader of the party on Stroud District Council.

The UK is currently exempt from the EU’s refugee agreement and has accepted only 5,955 people in the first quarter of this year, according to figures from the Refugee Council.

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