HELP FIGHT AGAINST COUNCIL OF SANCTUARY STATUS IN PORTSMOUTH

Hello,

We need to fund a city wide open and Independent survey of the city and it's residents to factually prove that our city holds a strong stance against the decision of the council on signing an agreement to turn our council into a "council of sanctuary". We believe that a huge decision like this, that will effect every resident in some capacity, should be consulted on, city wide, with all residents to have an opinion. Simple protesting doesn't work on a topic like that. We need fundamentally strong and proven factual proof that our city is against illegal immigrants being actively welcomed and supported in our city. The best way to do this is via a survey to get honest feedback.

If you're not aware we run the Portsmouth Independent Group in Portsmouth Council and are the official Leaders of the Opposition. We have been approached by the Lib Dem Leader of the Council to sign up to the "Council of Sanctuary" Pledge (similar to the city of sanctuary. Google if unfamiliar) where we, as a council, actively welcome refugees, asylum seekers AND illegal immigrants who come across the boats into our city. To my surprise both Labour and Conservatives have agreed to sign this pledge too. I believe it's also being supported by both the cities Labour MPs.

We believe fundamentally that our city is already at breaking point. We have some of the worst performing primary education rates in the UK. We have some of the worst recycling rates in the UK. Anti-Social behaviour is on the increase. DRs and Dentist appointments are near on impossible. Our schools are full to the brim. Our public services are stretched and our housing waiting list is almost the worst it's ever been in our unitary councils history.

Personally our leader, Cllr George Madgwick, doesn't feel we should be doing anything to encourage additional illegal immigrants who come across on the boats. He especially doesn't think we should be promoting that they would be welcomed with open arms. Equally we do fully support LEGAL migration and supporting those who come here from internationally recognised war zones or those foreign migrants who helped us in their home countries. Equally we should encourage those who legally come here with skills that can benefit our economy.

This policy is not about any form of racism, that is often labelled by some of the "left" of politics. This policy would effect anyone who isn't from the UK regardless of where they are from and their background or demographic is irrelevant to this policy. This is about accepting immigration into the UK to benefit our country whilst meanwhile not trying to help, promote, endorse or support illegal immigrants that come across on the boats (regardless of their country of origin).

Equally we are a group of Independent Democrats' at heart and we believe we were elected to serve the views of the residents and regardless of our own personal beliefs. We will always act in the way the residents/public wish for us too and put people before politics.

With this in mind we are proposing to publish and pay for an Independent City Wide survey on this topic. We believe that the residents of Portsmouth deserve their voice being heard and a factual number being bought to council to consider. Councillors from the National Parties (all 3 of them have agreed to sign this) need to understand they work for residents to represent the residents views and we need to prove how the residents feel about this.

Doing a ward wide survey is incredibly expensive. Portsmouth Independent party have agreed to fund £2,000 of the costs towards this survey but it will roughly cost £6,500 to publish this city wide. Furthermore it's important we use Independent sources to collect and publish the results to ensure that no one can challenge its validity.

Please help us raise the funds so we can make a huge statement on this. Please share it with like minded people and ask them to donate. Unlike many donation campaigns you can have direct involvement in a huge and unprecedented survey and actually help save our city.