SO James Gray believes that the migrant crisis, as he calls it, is caused by the EU’s Schengen Treaty which encourages “the poor and dispossessed…to find their way to what they perceive to be the golden-paved streets of Europe”.

These are often people fleeing conflict, escaping persecution by oppressive governments or getting out of failed states. They see the opportunity for a better life, so they make their way to Europe often at great personal peril. Are the workings of the EU really having any effect on their actions?

His solution seems to be to get out of Europe and let others sort out the situation.

Nobody in the government seems interested in helping out, and they seem to be taking a very short-sighted view of what is happening to the refugees.

What will be the result if no action is taken by the governments of Europe working together? Countries that find themselves with more refugees than they can cope with could be destabilised. Camps such as the Calais Jungle could spring up all over Europe creating a breeding ground for extremism.

The Prime Minister uses emotive words to describe the refugees and mocks a politician who takes the trouble to visit the migrant camp. In certain sections of the press “asylum seeker” has become a term of abuse.

Organisations that are supposed to be looking after refugees set them up so that they can be open to attack. There is a lot to be ashamed of in this country.

CHRIS JAGER, Hudson Road, Malmesbury