Convoy to ... Dover?
The Convoy to Calais on the way out of London on 18 June 2016 was an impressive sight. Of course we all got a bit dispersed during the drive through south London, but then we leapfrogged each other when the roads got wider and less busy.
It was great to see cars, vans and minibuses sporting the flags all the way down to Dover.
When we got to Dover, most of the 250 vehicles were directed into separate lanes and prevented from boarding the ferry. Everyone had paid for the crossing in advance. Everyone had a valid passport. Everyone was legally entitled to free movement in Europe. Everyone was involved in the peaceful supply of aid to refugees.
The French government did not care about any of this. They said we could not enter France. British officials and police backed them up and refused to allow us onto the ferry. Of course, there was a spontaneous rally with lots of chanting, some speeches, and a gradual spreading out until all the lanes onto the ferries were blocked. Other people travelling to France were held up, and views were mixed about our protest and blockade.
After an hour we agreed to leave and re-assemble outside the French embassy in Knightsbridge.
Driving back into London was miserable – stop-start all the way, once we got to the centre. The protest outside the embassy was smaller, but just as lively, with chants, speeches, and pink smoke!
We left a token selection of goods to go to the refugees at Calais – to be delivered by the government which had prevented us from delivering them. We did not trust them to actually deliver anything, which was why there was only a token amount.
Meanwhile, the British government – led by supporters of Remain, such as the Prime Minister, David Cameron – made absolutely no protest about the French government denying us our rights as European citizens. The government has not even helped us to get our money back.
It is hardly surprising that the Remain campaign lost in the referendum, when its commitment to a represent Britain strongly in Europe is clearly a complete sham.
From first gathering in Whitehall at 8.30 a.m. to finally leaving Knightsbridge at 7.30 p.m. was a long day. It was disappointing not to be able to meet the refugees at Calais and personally share with them the gifts of our supporters and the friendship of the British people, but they knew that it was not for want of trying. From their own experience, they know that the governments of Britain and France do not care about people, any more than the governments of Syria and the other countries from which they have fled.
Clearly we have more in common with refugees than with those who run our countries.
