…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
In the midst of the UK Government’s immigration legislation being passed through the Commons, Home Secretary S. Braverman has made statements about migrants arriving in the UK by small boats, claiming that they bring values that are “at odds with our country” and that they are linked to increased levels of criminality.
However, she failed to provide any statistical evidence to support her claims when asked.
Meanwhile, there were concerns voiced by senior Tory MPs, including former Prime Minister T. May and ex-party leader I. Duncan Smith, about the impact of the proposed reforms on modern slavery protections.
Despite these concerns, the Bill passed through the Commons without incident, with a majority of 59 votes.
During the debate on the Illegal Migration Bill, S. Braverman made statements suggesting that the values brought by migrants crossing the Channel were “at odds with our country” and that they were linked to increased levels of criminality.
When asked for evidence to support these claims, she stated that they were based on information from police chiefs.
However, she failed to provide any statistical evidence to back up her assertions.
Senior backbench Tories, including former Prime Minister T. May and ex-party leader I. Duncan Smith, expressed concerns about the impact that the Government’s flagship immigration reforms could have on modern slavery protections.
They were worried that the proposed legislation would have several ramifications and would leave more people in slavery in the UK.
May called it a “slap in the face” for anyone who cares about victims of human trafficking.
The Illegal Migration Bill passed through the Commons without incident, with a majority of 59 votes.
Critics have dismissed the proposed legislation as unworkable, while some right-wing Tory MPs believe that it does not go far enough.
Other Tories want greater protections for minors and victims of human trafficking.
Ministers have already given in to some demands to avoid potential revolts, with a series of Government amendments approved in the Commons.
However, the Government was unable to confirm whether the legislation complies with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Campaigners have accused S. Braverman of making “dog-whistle” remarks about the values of migrants being “at odds” with British norms and of stoking fear and hatred towards people seeking refuge in the country.
Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, called her remarks “appallingly divisive and shamelessly intended to stoke fear and hatred of people seeking refuge in this country”.
He also criticised the Government’s asylum legislation for “tearing apart legal protections in this country for refugees, victims of human trafficking and many other people”.