The pictures of a lifeless three year old child have served to crystallise people's feelings about the huge refugee crisis spreading across Europe. It is right that we, as a civilised Christian society, must do something to help, and this week's announcement of our commitment is significant.
It is worth bearing in mind that this country already has a huge amount to be proud about. We are the only country in the world that is now spending 0.7% of our GDP on international aid. We are the second biggest contributor to aid in Syria after the vastly richer USA, having already spent £920 million and committed an extra £100 million.
It is important, however, that we have the right response to this crisis. The ten million refugees from Syria are people like all of us in Wyre Forest. They have degrees and did have jobs, form an intelligent middle class, have families, aspirations and ambitions. But their lives have been destroyed by Assad and then ISIS and in many cases they have been in refugee camps for three years. But like anyone whose life has been put on hold, many want to find opportunity and get on with bringing up their families. That is only natural and the criminal gangs are preying on this by smuggling refugees into Europe, where we now have a huge humanitarian issue.
Were we to unquestioningly open our borders to refugees and migrants from Syria, we effectively offer opportunity to the criminal people smugglers. Whereas if we choose those in specific need from the existing refugee camps adjacent to Syria, we offer vital humanitarian aid to those who desperately need it.
We had an opportunity three years ago to intervene in Syria. I voted to provide military support based on humanitarian objectives - a case I argued in these pages at the time. Although no-one could have predicted the outcome of ISIS and the war, Parliament ruled out military options for the time being and the crisis has enlarged beyond all expectations. I am proud that we are doing more than our fair share on the ground in Syria. I am proud that we are taking 20,000 of those desperately in need from the refugee camps around Syria. And I am pleased that we are providing both a pragmatic and directed response, and clear thoughtful leadership.