The Liberal Democrats have adopted the most ambitious policy towards Ukrainian refugees of any major UK political party, warning the government’s current approach is a “chaotic shambles.”
The policy calls on the government to enable refugees from Ukraine to come to the UK without having to apply for a visa.
The party’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said even the government’s latest sponsor scheme would still force Ukrainian refugees to “jump through bureaucratic hoops” to come to the UK.
It comes as Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey calls on Boris Johnson to sack Priti Patel over her mishandling of the Ukrainian refugee crisis, which has left families fleeing war struggling to get appointments and facing long delays to have their visa applications processed.
Layla Moran MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, commented: “Ukrainians have been let down by the UK government in their hour of need. Priti Patel is presiding over a chaotic shambles – and the result is that Ukrainians who we should be supporting are being turned away simply because they don’t have the right paperwork.
“Even the government’s latest scheme will still leave refugees having to jump through bureaucratic hoops before coming to the UK.
“The UK has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those forced to flee war and persecution. Yet Conservative Ministers’ actions these past three weeks have been shameful.
“We must now stand with the people of Ukraine. The Home Secretary must urgently let Ukrainians come to the UK without having to apply for a visa.”
Speaking at the Liberal Democrat spring conference this morning, Ed Davey MP said: “Priti Patel’s response to this humanitarian catastrophe – the biggest in Europe since the Second World War – is utterly shameful. She has answered desperation with delays, crisis with confusion and pain with paperwork.
“The incompetence and indifference we have seen from the Home Secretary does not befit our country, with its proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need. It does not befit the British people, with all their compassion and generosity.
“It couldn’t be clearer that Priti Patel is not up to the job. The buck stops with the Prime Minister. So Boris Johnson must sack her now.”