Defend our RNLI
The Issue
We, the undersigned, defend our RNLI and condemn the attacks on this much-loved organisation, its staff and volunteers.
The RNLI is one of our most beloved and needed institutions.
It is our fourth emergency service.
Most of its lifeboat crews are unpaid volunteers, around 8,000 of them. They operate more than 400 lifeboats from 238 stations. The RNLI also provides free safety advice to many different groups of people, and has been involved in international cooperation since 1924.
It is there in the well-worn phrase "for those in peril on the sea".
It does not make judgements. It has no political bias; it does not concern itself with the morals, politics, legal status or nationality of those who need it. It is indifferent to your social status, gender, sexuality, your religious belief or lack of it.
The RNLI go out to save lives, night and day, in fair weather and foul.
Some people would prefer it if they did not rescue certain people. This could be interpreted as arguing that the RNLI should let people drown. Some have called it "a taxi service for illegals". The RNLI does not make judgements; if your life is in danger, the RNLI will rescue you.
It's what they do.
In recent days, we have seen them under attack. The brave men and women who selflessly save lives have been hounded by a mob. The names and addresses of those who work for it in Portsmouth have been circulated by hate groups who are angry that they do not let those on boats seeking asylum drown.
When it became clear people were in distress on a dinghy, crowds massed in Eastney, trying to prevent them from being brought ashore. After the RNLI saved 120 people on a dinghy near Portsmouth Lifeboat Station and brought them ashore, they have been hounded. They have been accused of being traitors; staff names and addresses have been circulated online, and members have been threatened.
The RNLI museum in Poole had to be closed due to threatening behaviour; in Portsmouth, RNLI members were told not to wear their badges and uniforms in public.
The Portsmouth station has been closed due to safety concerns. We have been informed that this is a temporary measure. The RNLI would not take this decision lightly.
There has been an attempt to bully this institution and its members and to delegitimise it as an institution.
This must not stand.
We support the RNLI and the magnificent and impartial life-saving work that they do. The people attacking our RNLI must be isolated and marginalised.
Apart from signing this petition, now would be a good time for people to vote with their wallets.
It's important that we all defend this organisation and keep supporting them and donating to the RNLI.
Simon Magorian.SUTR Portsmouth.
731
The Issue
We, the undersigned, defend our RNLI and condemn the attacks on this much-loved organisation, its staff and volunteers.
The RNLI is one of our most beloved and needed institutions.
It is our fourth emergency service.
Most of its lifeboat crews are unpaid volunteers, around 8,000 of them. They operate more than 400 lifeboats from 238 stations. The RNLI also provides free safety advice to many different groups of people, and has been involved in international cooperation since 1924.
It is there in the well-worn phrase "for those in peril on the sea".
It does not make judgements. It has no political bias; it does not concern itself with the morals, politics, legal status or nationality of those who need it. It is indifferent to your social status, gender, sexuality, your religious belief or lack of it.
The RNLI go out to save lives, night and day, in fair weather and foul.
Some people would prefer it if they did not rescue certain people. This could be interpreted as arguing that the RNLI should let people drown. Some have called it "a taxi service for illegals". The RNLI does not make judgements; if your life is in danger, the RNLI will rescue you.
It's what they do.
In recent days, we have seen them under attack. The brave men and women who selflessly save lives have been hounded by a mob. The names and addresses of those who work for it in Portsmouth have been circulated by hate groups who are angry that they do not let those on boats seeking asylum drown.
When it became clear people were in distress on a dinghy, crowds massed in Eastney, trying to prevent them from being brought ashore. After the RNLI saved 120 people on a dinghy near Portsmouth Lifeboat Station and brought them ashore, they have been hounded. They have been accused of being traitors; staff names and addresses have been circulated online, and members have been threatened.
The RNLI museum in Poole had to be closed due to threatening behaviour; in Portsmouth, RNLI members were told not to wear their badges and uniforms in public.
The Portsmouth station has been closed due to safety concerns. We have been informed that this is a temporary measure. The RNLI would not take this decision lightly.
There has been an attempt to bully this institution and its members and to delegitimise it as an institution.
This must not stand.
We support the RNLI and the magnificent and impartial life-saving work that they do. The people attacking our RNLI must be isolated and marginalised.
Apart from signing this petition, now would be a good time for people to vote with their wallets.
It's important that we all defend this organisation and keep supporting them and donating to the RNLI.
Simon Magorian.SUTR Portsmouth.
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Petition created on 18 September 2026