Campaign of the Week: Cameron forced to say "Refugees Welcome"

The world grieved on Wednesday morning when it woke to the horrifying image of the lifeless body of three year old Aylan Kurdi. The boy was one of at least twelve Syrians who drowned attempting to reach the Greek island of Kos.

The images which were plastered across every newspaper sparked a public outcry for change in regards to housing these poor individuals. Turning our emotion and ideas into action, The Independent launched a petition to force David Cameron to allow more than just a few hundred Syrian refugees into the UK.

The campaign called for Britain to take its fair share of refugees fleeing war and persecution. It asked people to show their support by signing the online petition and tweeting a picture of themselves holding a sign saying 'Refugees Welcome'.

More than 300,000 people have backed the campaign. Celebrities, politicians, and ordinary members of the public used the power of social media to force Cameron's hand, as the PM announced on Thursday he would expand the number of Syrians offered sanctuary in Britain.

My, how times have changed! Ten years ago this kind of petition would have taken a few weeks to get any traction, but thanks to social media in less than 24 hours the most powerful man in Britain has been forced to act. 

At present it seems that commercial brands are not the only ones who are greatly underestimating the power of social media. The Conservatives probably thought that Labour's new policies would cost them the next bi-election, not twitter!