Public meeting on asylum seeker barge at Portland Harbour

As reported, the Home Office has confirmed that a barge will host more than 500 male asylum seekers at Portland Harbour.

As the revelation sent shockwaves around the community, a meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the Community 2000 centre in Easton, organised by Stand Up To Racism Dorset, and attended by around 80 members of the public.

Those in attendance raised concerns about the welfare of the future inmates of the barge – who will all be male and around the same age, according to a Government fact sheet – as well as Portland and south Dorset area being continually blighted by low wages, lack of facilities and life prospects.

Despite the potentially divisive issues being discussed, the event was positive, organiser Lynne Hubbard, chairman of Stand Up To Racism Dorset said afterwards, as those present did not express negative attitudes towards people claiming asylum.

SUTR Dorset co-chairman Lynne Hubbard said the meeting was as positive as it could have been despite the worrying situation (Image: Finnbarr Webster)

Instead, concerns were raised about claims by the Home Office and Portland Port that the barge will benefit the local economy, and “anti-migration rhetoric being spread by governments.”

Speaker Philip Marfleet said: “Why Portland – is it because the government thinks it can get away with what it likes here in south Dorset – where there is already the lowest level of social mobility in England? We should be supporting refugees and victims of war and famine – not in barges, but in decent homes, with investment in public services.”

Others said those who will be housed on the barge should not be judged and treated as criminals before they have arrived. One speaker said figures indicate asylum seekers committed statistically fewer crimes compared with the general UK population.

Philip Marfleet addresses the meeting (Image: Finnbarr Webster)

Councillor Carralyn Parkes said opposing the barge was not driven by an anti-migration stance, but instead by 'racist rhetoric' used by governments to make people fear refugees and asylum seekers.

She said it would be cheaper to accommodate people humanely, and that the message should be “hope, not hate.”

Councillor Giovanna Lewis said: “Although this is basically a done deal... we do have a choice - - we can feel grumpy, angry, fearful – or we can get to know them, we can listen to their stories – the home office has made this a done deal – so let’s show them we can be different in Weymouth and Portland.”

Others spoke of the British ethos of welcoming people –“just as we did those from Ukraine… we should show our humanity and open our hearts.”

It was also said that those claiming asylum should be given the opportunity to work, particularly given the shortages of staff in local hospitals and other public services.

Councillor Paul Kimber said he had contacted the Red Cross regarding the situation, and has also asked whether officials will be sent to assist in processing applications for asylum as there are only 10 days for individuals to submit forms.

He said those who do not complete necessary paperwork in this time frame face deportation – including those who may not read or write English.

Although the title of the meeting was ‘Refugees Welcome Here – ‘no’ to camps, prisons and barges’, the Echo has been asked by Dorset Council to refer to the occupants of the barge as 'asylum seekers' as those present will have not been granted refugee status.

A recent reader poll indicates a significant majority of readers oppose the asylum seeker barge.