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Around 7 000 Syrian refugees have been settled across the UK yet a disproportionate 1 800 or nearly 25% have been welcomed to Scotland. The Syrian war and refugee flood has been described as the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II so the UK intake is frankly pathetic.
Scotland’s greater hospitality, looks to me like just another example of the many ways in which we are different enough from England to be seen as a different country and logically an independent one.
I know it’s only 1 800 and we should get carried away with ourselves. You might like to read a piece I wrote a piece last year on the topic at:
Refugees: The Kindness of Our Ancestors
I’ve also debated our other differences which Unionists love to deny at:
The job of protecting Scottish poor from excesses of Tory austerity
England’s over 85s are dying faster under Tory austerity. Are Scotland’s old folk being protected?
https://stv.tv/amp/1394165-scotland-welcomes-25-of-refugees-settled-in-the-uk/
Talking-up Scotland 
Hi Prof – thanks for the info re. Scotand taking in 25% or more (1800 approx) of the (7000 approx) Syrian refugees the Westminster govt has permitted entry to thus far. It is good to see Scotland being so pro-active in this process (despite the Westminster govt applying its own process with such clear delay and reluctance – resulting in such relatively small numbers being accepted as refugees despite the scale of the problem).
It was also good to see Scotland and Wales acting together to write to and pressurise the Westminster Home Office re. the non-application of the Dubs amendment which specifically requires the Westminster govt to arrange entry and assistance for 480 unaccompanied children and young people. The BBC website (no less) reported yesterday (in Scottish Politics ‘Concern over Dubs resettlement’) that Equalities Secretary Angela Constance had written jointly with her Welsh counterpart (Carl Sargeant) explaining that “..the lack of planning and sharing of information from the coordinators has inhibited our ability to plan ahead.”
(I’m finding myself having to agree with your theory that the BBC website reporters/editors have been forced to recognise that the website readership won’t accept the degree of slanted material/presentation that the Beeb has been getting away with on their broadcast services. I go further and suggest the Herculean efforts of yourself and others has – possibly – had a bit of good effect in the website editorial line.)
The emerging Welsh Connection is interesting and encouraging. Over the very recent period we have observed the joint letter from Nicola and Carwyn Jones re. implementing the Joint Ministerial Committee process over the Theresa May billion pound ‘bung’ to the DUP. We have now seen the joint letter from Angela and Carl re. the very poor efforts the Home Office are making to apply the Dubs Amendment – and we have also seen Carwyn Jones making the case for a ‘Norway Model’ for Brexit as promulgated by the SNP and Scottish Govt. (and he is taking lots of pelters from various Welsh Lab figures for his trouble). I hope that this developing connection with the Welsh Govt can act in partnership on many other issues over the coming period. (Lord Alone knows that there is no shortage of areas of public policy where the Westminster Govt needs a rocket up the bahookie). – Cheers, Ludo
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Thanks. Yes, I’ve noticed the links with Wales but they are Labour. Still whatever is for the common good.
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It’s always good to hear about Scotland doing more than its fair share of good in the world – you have to wonder if the English contribution even breaks even as compensation for the harm the uk did in the first place to cause the problems that end with making people into refugees, but that’s a very complex set of circumstances that must be nigh-on impossible to determine.
Of course, you can’t take in more people than your infrastructure can support, so as long as we have strong infrastructure and services (as Scotland seems to have,,, always room for improvement as we hear, but still, in comparison with the rest of the U.K., we are holding up). One thing that is needed for people cruelly ejected from their homes and even country – I can’t imagine that they want to leave everything they know – is being allowed to integrate into our societies, and that takes effort from us residents. I feel bad that the most I seem to manage is a wave and a smile – but then, it’s better than some alternatives! All thought and no action, that’s me, but think we have to accept, each of us, we can only do what we can do, and do the best with what skills and abilities we have. Often I feel overwhelmed by the number of things in this world that need attention and support, and feel unable to focus on one single issue where that focus might do some good, and end up doing very little.
I have no idea what brought on that introspection there! Prof, I think I should seriously consider your suggestion of my own blog (but could I keep control of my grammar?!) – if I am all thought and no action, I can provide thought and put it out there for others to action? But, that would take some action from me, and,,, bah. Really get fed up with myself sometimes!
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You’re eminently bloggable.
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Bloggable. Bloggable,,, not sure that is an actual word, there? Blo-gabble, blog-gabbling perhaps. Sorry, tired, brain malfunction, and messing with words! I’m thinking that’s a complement John, and, as always, you are a big boost to the confidence thank you, I will let you know when I decide on action,,, if! 🙂
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