Isle of Wight MP Slams EU-Turkey Refugee ‘Dodgy Deal’
Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner has blasted the EU-Turkey refugee agreement as a “dodgy deal” that won’t solve Europe’s migrant mess. The shaky plan promises a “one-in, one-out” system for Syrian refugees crossing into the EU, but Turner warns it’s legally shaky and riddled with issues.
What’s the Deal?
- For every Syrian refugee sent back to Turkey, one Syrian currently in Turkey would be legally resettled in the EU.
- Turkey would get visa-free access for 75 million citizens to the Schengen Area.
- Accelerated EU membership talks for Turkey.
- A hefty £4.7 billion payday for Turkey.
- The UK’s contribution is unclear but could be around £250 million.
Turner: Merkel’s Power Grab
“The EU has handled the refugee crisis very badly – and that continues. This time it is the German Chancellor trying to save face by agreeing this dodgy deal with Turkey. Angela Merkel seems to think she can negotiate on behalf of all member states,” Turner said.
Merkel held private talks last Sunday with Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu before presenting the deal to EU leaders.
Why The Deal Could Fall Apart
Turner points out several flaws:
- All 28 EU nations must agree, and some, like Cyprus, won’t sign off until Turkey recognises them.
- Syrians already in the EU may have to return to Turkey and lose priority for resettlement—a move Turner calls “fantasy.”
- The deal pushes Britain into new waters, forcing it to fund support programmes far from home, which Britain already does near refugees’ origin countries.
- Visa-free access for millions of Turks could make controlling UK borders impossible.
UK Sovereignty at Risk
“Just because the UK isn’t in Schengen doesn’t mean we won’t be impacted. If we stay in the EU after June 23rd, anyone with an EU passport could freely move to the UK,” Turner warned. “We must control who enters our country. Without that, we are no longer a sovereign nation.”
With EU leaders ready to reconvene next week, the fate of this controversial deal hangs in the balance.
