I HAVE spent the last week or so signing or setting up petitions to get our government to abide by their obligations as a member of the EU and the UN security council, to abide by UN directives.

Pressure has now forced David Cameron to say he will take in some more refugees from UN camps on the borders of Syria. People living in these United Nations camps are not living a cosy life, but they are comparatively safe compared with those risking life and limb and already in Europe.

True, some have paid for help to get here, just like refugees have done from many countries in the past. No one wants to flee their home, but do so because of war, terror, fear, conflict and in some cases, abject poverty.

David Cameron points out that the UK has committed more money to these camps than other European countries and that is indeed, admirable. However, it does ring of Conservative ideology to think that money alone will solve problems. Compassion and a home are what is needed most.

We need to open our country to those refugees that wish to come here. Many have skills like medics, that the UK pays to recruit overseas as we have insufficient doctors and nurses here.

Many will happily return home if and when their own country returns to peace, 3,000 lone children have made it across the Mediterranean. Many have had parents die or drown on the way. Some have come because they have been orphaned by the fighting in Syria. Some have fled as they are frightened of being recruited into Jihadi armies.

What has happened to the compassion of the British people that we are willing to say ‘send them back’ or ‘it’s not our problem’? It makes me ashamed to be British.

Joyce Denness

Bere Alston