My Lib Dems colleagues and I have said that people in Woking will not forget the actions of Conservative MPs like Jonathan Lord who voted against providing safe and legal routes to sanctuary for vulnerable refugees.

Earlier this week, Tory MPs rejected amendments to the Immigration Bill, despite four people, including children, tragically losing their lives trying to cross the Channel last week.

The Lib Dems, who are also urging the public to back their petition, have committed to fight on.  In addition to safe and legal routes to sanctuary for vulnerable refugees, the Party wants to maintain the rights for refugees in Europe to be reunited with their families and ensure that unaccompanied child refugees can be resettled in the UK.

With their inaction, this Conservative Government is leaving people to die. Providing safe and legal routes for refugees is the right thing to do.  Not just because these are vulnerable people who deserve our help, but because it is the best way to tackle criminal smugglers and stop people attempting dangerous Channel crossings.

How Woking’s MP can look at themselves in the mirror knowing that they rejected proposals to ensure that unaccompanied child refugees can be resettled in the UK is beyond me.  People will not forget.

Just last week, yet more people tragically lost their lives trying to cross the Channel.  It is utterly heartbreaking, especially for the friends and families left behind. It is hard to imagine how desperate people must be to climb into these boats in search of a better life.  It just is not right that vulnerable people are left no choice but to make these perilous attempts.