LONDON — A campaign for Britain to accept 3,000 child refugees stuck in Europe has failed after Conservative Party members of parliament voted against the plan in the House of Commons.

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The Home Office convinced potential Conservative rebels that the government was already doing enough to help child refugees in Syria and that the plan would encourage more asylum-seekers to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.

The bill was introduced in the House of Lords by Czech-born Labour peer Alf Dubs, who as a child was brought to the UK from Nazi Germany ahead of World War II as part of the government-backed Kindertransport.

Before the debate, Dubs told the Guardian: “My message to Conservative MPs is that in 1938-39, Britain took 10,000 child refugees from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. We were in the lead then and we could take an important step now. The least we can do is say this is a small number and they should be welcome here.”

Several Twitter users and politicians picked up the parallels between Jewish and Syrian refugees to express their outrage at the failed proposal:

Tories voted last night against help to 3k unaccompanied child refugees.



In 1938-40 we took 10k children fleeing Nazis. #3000children — Jack Stanton (@Jackstant0n) April 26, 2016

Tory MPs have voted to leave #3000children refugees in Europe. It appears that history has taught them nothing. pic.twitter.com/XXKG1e1k8e — James Melville (@JamesMelville) April 26, 2016

While "10,000" plus children are missing vulnerable taken in by criminals & trafficking. This is a massacre against humanity #3000children — Sarah Fara (@Sare_Ldn) April 26, 2016

This technical line means UK wont even accept #3000children. Too much to handle for "great" Britain. #DubsAmendment https://t.co/7hsvI56tAC — Gauri van Gulik (@GaurivanGulik) April 26, 2016

We had the chance to save lives we helped endanger, and we chose not to - doesn't say much for us as a nation #3000children — Olivia Humphreys (@OliviaDocmaker) April 26, 2016

"Push factor" argument over #3000children vote shows ignorance of UK government. Last time used against sea rescue - outcome more drowned. — Rosie Scammell (@rosiescammell) April 26, 2016

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