Copyright inverness-courier
A UK Government decision to move 300 single male asylum seekers to an Inverness army barracks has sparked social media outrage. A petition against the move has also been launched. Hundreds of angry comments, some expressing fear, alarm and concern, poured onto our Facebook page in response to our stories detailing the plan and the response of elected politicians. There were also numerous unsavoury and prejudicial comments, with more measured comments either for and against tending to be drowned out. Cameron Barracks, a mile from the city centre, will be used under Labour’s plan which aims to cut the reliance on using hotels to house migrants. By 3pm today, over 700 people had signed a Change.org petition calling for people to “stand with us in protecting Inverness and the Highlands from policies that threaten the wellbeing of our communities”. It is impossible to verify with any great accuracy how many social media or petition respondents are from the local area. EXPLAINER: Short history of Cameron Barracks in Inverness – now a political hot potato in the asylum debate Among the comments, Alison MacRae said: “Seriously it's bad enough that we're going to lose Fort George in 2032 and now they want to house asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks. The country has completely lost the plot.” Andrew William said: “Well done Labour, that’s right pick one of the UK’s smallest cities that already struggles with amenities and essential services for its own citizens… you don’t care about the people of Scotland.” Katrina Fyfe said: “Disgraceful… Inverness is a small Highland city and could not cater for all these men. The hospital is one example… please rethink.” Belle Hall added: “What about our own homeless, where are they going to spend winter? Donald Maclennan said: “It’s diabolical. Madness of the highest order.” And Paula Taylor said: “Surely the community can come together and object to this!” The toxic nature of the debate no doubt dissuaded many from giving alternative views, but Frances Tait said: “Well this one seems to have brought out the misinformed, badly informed, and the ‘help our own’ contingent who have never put their hands in their pockets or helped anyone in their lives.” Conor O'Hara added: “Angry, dismissive whataboutery responses are wholly playing into the hands of those who seek to divide us. Keep everyone poor and inflation high, stretch vocational jobs until at breaking point, keep austerity rolling along, create a culture of selfishness and consumerism… whatever you do, do not point out that the UK is modelling itself on the USA, which is becoming a failed state.” Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
