WITH such large-scale movement of both people and perspective, the world seems a very uncertain place at the moment. The challenges that face all empathic individuals in the weeks, months and years ahead will test the very core of what is generally described as our ‘Christian’ society.

When faced with such a potentially life-changing set of challenges, how will those values hold up? The plight of the huge numbers of refugees and economic migrants has stirred the conscience of many, and fear, in those who have less open hearts.

The conversations I have had with regard to this subject range from those who are aware of just how awful the situation and circumstances being faced by the vast numbers seeking sanctuary really are, to those who believe it is an Isis-inspired plot to destabilise the West.

Two students at a special educational needs school that Kandu works in said that they believed the refugees were coming to take all our jobs. On further investigation, we set the proposition “what would you do if your homes, towns and villages were being bombed and life became unbearable?” They, without the slightest hint of irony, explained that in such a situation they would move to France and Italy respectively. When it was pointed out that that is the same conclusion the refugees had come to, the debate ended.

Now, if they can understand that, surely it is not beyond the wit of government, both local and national, to prepare the ground positively to ensure the best possible welcome for those displaced souls who might be resettled in our area. Those who allow their decisions to be led by fear or protection of the status quo will surely be going against the supposed values of the county, country and Europe as a whole. We must consider that if the reception for those seeking safety is hostile and ‘un-Christian’, this could confirm any propaganda, paranoia and suspicion espoused by Isis or any other extremist ideology, that the West is indeed an unholy alliance, that values money and resources, such as oil, over that of humanity.

Others will argue that we have enough problems of our own to contend with, that there are not enough homes to house our own, not enough jobs or hospital places etc. This is true of course, but that’s the case anyway with or without refugees. What is everyone who believes that charity starts at home doing to support the already vast numbers of homeless and those in need now?

If someone is too busy supporting a home-grown cause then of course, fair play, they are doing their bit. However, those who complain about the refugees whilst doing nothing to help their communities, are potentially adding to our collective problems, not solving them.

Perhaps, if our governments were less interested in selling off our assets and prostituting the country to the likes of the Chinese and were not in the pay of big business and bankers, we might stand half a chance of having a fairer society.

Of course if we could stop committing our men, women and resources to illegal/immoral wars, that might lessen further potential for retaliatory actions on behalf of those who might still be a little peeved at Britain’s contribution to world peace and harmony.

With regard to matters closer to home, Chippenham/Kington St Michael can rightly be proud of producing this country’s best hope of reintroducing the concept of an equal society that this country has seen since the likes of Kier Hardy. Jeremy Corbyn is that hope, if he is true to his values and not subject to political assassination by the right wing politicians, press and those who have previously hijacked the flag of the Labour Party by operating a Conservative-light, New Labour regime, that had more to do with wielding power than anything to do with supporting the workers and the poor. Hope will spring eternal.