There are calls for the government to “rethink” their travel advice for holidaymakers heading to the Greek islands as wildfires a raging in parts of the country which has seen thousands evacuate for their lives.
The Liberal democrats are calling on the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “urgently convene and emergency COBRA meeting amid the wildfires in Greece.
Layla Moran, the party’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, accused Sunak of showing a “failure of leadership” as thousands of British holidaymakers have and are being impacted by the ongoing situation.
She said, “The prime minister needs to take action and urgently convene an emergency COBRA meeting to help holidaymakers.”
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She called on the government to “immediately change” their guidance for people considering visiting the Greek islands.
Michael Gove MP defended the governments travel advice on Tuesday and said that he is planning a holiday there also, but this has since been questioned in the House of Lords this afternoon.
The Labour leader in the House of Lords, Baroness of Basildon said that Gove should “rethink this matter” as fires have been burning for 12 days and further evacuation orders have been given again on Tuesday.
She said, “The government’s advisory is not helpful – or lack of advisory – to those who are not sure if they should fly this week or not, or what the financial consequences could be.
“With the cost-of-living crisis, many people make sacrifices for their… annual holiday for a week, and I do ask the noble Lord to reconsider the reply he gave to the noble Lord Young.
“I’m not convinced he is entirely understanding the position of insurance companies and the struggle that many families face to pay for these holidays.”
Former Tory Cabinet Minister Lord Young of Cookham asked if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is “really expecting families booked to go to Rhodes over the next few days to go ahead with their plans.”
Speaking for the government, Lords deputy chief whip the Earl of Courtown who spoke for the government, said the travel advice is there which allows Brits to make an “informed decision,” however this is “always under review.”
