British Prime Minister David Cameron's word choice is not going over so well. In a recent interview with ITV News about the Calais migrant crisis, Cameron used the word "swarm" to describe the "people coming across the Mediterranean, seeking a better life, wanting to come to Britain." Criticism abounded. The Labour Party's Harriet Harman responded: "He should remember he is talking about people and not insects." The Refugee Council called Cameron's comment "irresponsible" and "dehumanizing." "This sort of rhetoric is extremely inflammatory and comes at a time when the government should be focused on working with its European counterparts to respond calmly and compassionately to this dreadful humanitarian crisis," the Refugee Council said.
The BBC reports that thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the English Channel this week to reach the UK from Calais, France. Nine people have been killed this month attempting to cross. In response, both Britain and France are beefing up border control and security. The French have sent an extra 120 police to the border and Cameron has emphasized that Britain would not become a "safe haven" for migrants.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Living the 'pura vida' in Costa RicaThe Week Recommends From thick, tangled rainforest and active volcanoes to monkeys, coatis and tapirs, this is a country with plenty to discover
-
Without Cuba, US State Sponsors of Terrorism list shortensThe Explainer How the remaining three countries on the U.S. terrorism blacklist earned their spots
-
Crossword: January 21, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
