PM In Spotlight As Refugees Debate Held In Commons

David Cameron's response to the refugee crisis will once again come under the spotlight in Parliament as MPs demand more action in a full-day debate on Wednesday.

Published 9th Sep 2015

David Cameron's response to the refugee crisis will once again come under the spotlight in Parliament as MPs demand more action in a full-day debate on Wednesday.

The SNP have called the debate on their opposition day and their motion calling for more help will be backed by acting Labour leader Harriet Harman, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron as well as Plaid Cymru, the SDLP and the Green Party.

The Prime Minister's announcement that Britain will take in an extra 20,000 vulnerable Syrian refugees by May 2020 from camps surrounding the war-torn country has been met by calls for further action to help alleviate the crisis in Europe.

A vote could be called on the motion, which demands the Government takes further action, if Tory MPs oppose it.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said: It is great to have a cross-party effort for increasing support for refugees who are in such a position of total extremity.

The message to the Prime Minister and his government colleagues is clear, the UK must do more to support those affected by this horrendous crisis.

The motion and debate will hopefully persuade the UK Government to go beyond the announcements already made, including increasing the number of refugees that the UK is willing to accept.

David Cameron's leadership on this has been inadequate and now six parties leaders are challenging him to show more leadership and work more constructively with our European partners.

The Prime Minister must now show respect to parliament and the thousands of people affected by this crisis by coming to the chamber and taking part in this debate.''