'People stranded in Rhodes due to wildfires need urgent help to get home'

23 July 2023 , 20:50

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Wildfires have hit the Greek island of Rhodes (Image: BOUGIOTIS EVANGELOS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Flights and holidays cancelled and the mass evacuation as wildfires rage across the Greek island of Rhodes is a nightmare.

Mercifully nobody has died so far but the fear and frustration of those fleeing, or waiting to discover whether they will be found ­alternative destinations, is real and tangible.

The generosity of the Greek people is heartwarming. But questions must be asked about the funding of a Greek fire service with too little equipment and personnel.

Nor can we escape evidence that unless we act collectively, more of the planet will burn and lives will be lost.

Travel companies must pull out all the stops to get the stranded home and find alternative holidays for those with cancelled breaks.

New superyacht virtually invisible with mirrored glass to reflect sky and clouds

Tourists wait for guidance during the wildfires

A Keir vision

Ending child poverty and improving wages and work rights are goals Keir Starmer must deliver or a Labour Party in power would not be doing its job.

As the Conservative Government tears itself apart over environmental policies and the opposition hold an inquest over why they did not take Uxbridge in last week’s by-elections, now is not a moment for Labour to jettison fundamental targets.

Four-time general election victor Harold Wilson said Labour was a moral crusade or it is nothing, emphasising the historic role of challenging vested interests to build a fairer, more prosperous Britain.

Starmer deserves credit for putting Labour within touching distance of Government. He can seal the deal with a vote-winning vision.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer (BBC/AFP via Getty Images)

Bat’s life...

Record books do not show moral victories but England’s washed-out cricketers scored one over the Australians at ­rain-sodden Old Trafford in Manchester.

The coveted Ashes remain Down Under but at the Oval in London, starting on Thursday, there is a golden opportunity for England to play their way to victory in the final Test so posterity records an honourable 2-2 draw.

Voice of the Mirror