EU asylum plan presents a threat to our civilisation -UKIP leader Nigel Farage

• European Parliament, Strasbourg, 29 April 2015

- Bluecard question: Philippe Lamberts MEP (Belgium), Greens group

• Debate: Report of the extraordinary European Council meeting (23 April 2015) - The latest tragedies in the Mediterranean and EU migration and asylum policies
European Council and Commission statements
[2015/2660(RSP)]

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• Video: EbS (European Parliament)
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Transcript
Four years ago I stood here and said that bombing Libya would be a huge mistake, but of course the UK parliament and this parliament were desperate, there was a clamour to go to war.

And so now we have a failed state in Libya, which is now a conduit being used for criminal trafficking gangs trying to bring people to Europe.

We are guilty for this crisis. We are directly guilty for the drownings that are going on. And we are hypocrites in this place when we talk about poverty in Africa, when we pursue a common agricultural policy that puts barriers up to them selling us their agricultural produce; where we have a fisheries policy that rapes and pillages their seas and has caused environmental destruction. And we just assuage our consciences by giving away a bit of foreign aid.

I am not blind to the human suffering that we've caused in many of these countries. I would call on this parliament, this commission to end the barriers to trade, to stop the fisheries policy, to ask the United Nations to get involved and to try and help.

But the real question we face, is what are we to do. Are we to go down the Australian system in dealing with this crisis?

And indeed, the Australian premier Tony Abbott has offered us his advice and help. Australia faced this, and Australia not only has stopped the boats from coming, they've stopped people from drowning.

But no, we're not interested in what the Australians have done, we have decided that we can deal with this on our own. So we decided that people can come and that people won't be sent back.

Now, I suspect that it's a shock, and will be a hell of a shock to many European citizens including the British to understand that we've already agreed a Common European Asylum System. And what today is about, and today's resolution is the direct implementation of it.

The problem, ladies and gentlemen, is this: the definitions for who qualifies for asylum are so wide they include not just people coming from war, not just people coming from failed states - Mr Juncker this morning seemed to suggest it would even include people who are suffering poverty.

I'm sorry, we simply can't accept countless millions. Already in countries like mine, 77% of the population say, we cannot take immigration at current levels.

But there is a real and genuine threat. When ISIS say they want to flood our continent with half a million Islamic extremists, they mean it, and there is nothing in this document that will stop those people from coming. Indeed I fear we face a direct threat to our civilisation if we allow a large number of people from that war-torn region into Europe.

It is ironic that nine days before a British general election, Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband are not engaged in this debate.

And in fact the UK can do nothing. We are impotent. We have surrendered our ability to get involved. I promise my party will stand up to this impending disaster for all concerned.

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• EU Member States:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom

[kevkilgallon]

This is the man I trust to run our country, Vote UKIP for heavens sake, hes our only chance.

[nellennatea]

PLEASE LISTEN TO NIGEL & ALLOW UKIP TO PROTECT US by voting for them & 7th May 2015

[necronomicon]

At last someone with the balls to say it like it

[pda]

It seems whenever I watch Nigel at the European Parliament making very sound and well thought out arguments, the rest of them are in complete disagreement with whatever he say's and how sensible and correct his thinking is. The UK needs to get out of this system asap. Very worrying indeed.

[birdienumnums]

UKIP give them a chance, we need big change. let ukip have a chance at changing Britain for the better.

[Crimejaildotcom]

THIS is a leader.  A born leader - only politician to talk total sense.

[maisnon]

Not British, but this man is amazing!

[sofietaylor]

As my old dad would have said, "Go on my son!". Nigel is the best prospective leader we could have, strong, knows his stuff, and always right on point. VOTE UKIP, get our country back, all my family and friends, everyone  i know and speak to are voting UKIP.  Love Nigel!

[robharris]

'Home grown UK'.
Words spoken before Paris and Brussels.

[mikesey]

Nigel Farage talking good sense as usual.
We should end the EU dictatorship.

[YouWhatMate]

I have already voted UKIP and most of the people I no have as well

[MrDaiseymay]

Excellent statement Nigel--it has obviously fallen on dim and deaf ears there, but will have a greater resonance here---all you none-traitors--VOTE UKIP

[Milkymo]

This is simply getting out of hand... This insanity HAS to stop.

Never voted before. My vote is for UKIP.

[jacobitejake]

this should be broadcast to the people of UK as a matter of urgency prior to the 7th.  Good luck UKIP, let us hope that many of the voters next week vote with common sense in their hearts and minds.

[joesam]

Nigel, you've had my vote and still retain it. Vote UKIP.

[ruralidiot]

The only Leader in the British General Election who even talks about immigration. People in Britain are not aware, unless they listen to UKIP, that the hundreds of thousands of houses needing to be built are in the main required due to the high levels of immigration.

But it is more than just a crisis for Britain it is as Nigel pointed out a humanitarian crisis where people are drowning to escape war torn Africa. He is the only Leader with a plan to help these people and it is a plan that will work, as he says the Australians have proved that it works. The boats must be stopped for the sake of our country, Europe and the poor people being exploited by criminals.

[WIEdlig]

Nigel Farage is a HERO!
Love from the Netherlands!

[paulharper]

very well said Nigel - this is worrying..

[RonBrind]

I want out of Europe and support Nigel Farage and UKIP

[changlembirk]

Thank you Nigel. Best regards from Denmark