Refugee crisis: European leaders blamed for record high deaths in the Mediterranean | The Independent

The Independent reports that Britain and other European nations are making the refugee crisis worse by forcing people fleeing conflict and persecution to undertake covert and treacherous journeys, citing new research. It highlights that the damning report by the Unravelling the Mediterranean Migration Crisis (Medmig) project concluded that the refusal to open up legal routes for those seeking safety in Europe has increased demand for people smuggling on ever more dangerous routes.

Source: Refugee crisis: European leaders blamed for record high deaths in the Mediterranean | The Independent

Although I voted for Remain, I sadly must conclude that the refugee crisis highlights why the EU is not workable at the political level. Of all the European leaders, I would highlight Angela Merkel for botched, naive and ill-considered actions on refugees and immigration.

This leads me to an open question:

If Angela Merkel had not botched the refugee crisis, do you think that the UK would still be looking at a Hard Brexit?

Thoughts?

Justice and Home Affairs Council, 21/04/2016 – Consilium – The European Council

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Read first hand what the European Council are doing about security, borders and migration. The Council discussed security and border issues. Ministers examined the latest developments concerning migration.

Source: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 21/04/2016 – Consilium

I was interested by the choice of language and emphasis. I got the sense that the urgency level was not entirely appropriate. There seems to be too much let’s wait and see, rather than preemptive action against scenarios.

Most important of all, I worry at trying to cannibalize European systems on weak foundations – many countries are struggling to track movement of people effectively. Having specialized in delivering radical systems’ solutions, I fear that the Council may not have fully explored the risks.

Thoughts?