Shabana Mahmood will today set out her controversial migration shake up – warning failure to grip the issue will pave the way for a Nigel Farage “nightmare”.
In a landmark speech, the Home Secretary will deliver fiery attacks on Reform and the Green Party as she defends a string of changes. Ms Mahmood will set out plans to remove families and clear out asylum hotels.
She will announce asylum seekers who break the law or work illegally – or have the right to work – will be thrown out of taxpayer-funded accommodation. The Labour frontbencher will also outline plans to double the time it takes to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which she says will be focused on contributions.
But the plans have sparked an outcry and look set to provoke a significant backbench rebellion. Hitting back at critics, Ms Mahmood will say: ““When people see small boat arrivals, at their current scale or they feel the pace and scale of migration today, they feel like we have lost control.
“A loss of control breeds fear and when fearful, people turn inwards. Their vision of this country narrows. Their patriotism turns into something smaller, something darker, an ethno-nationalism emerges. The idea of a greater Britain gives way to the lure of a littler England. And other voices – voices to the far right – take hold.”
Green Party lashes out over Mahmood attack
The Green Party has hit back over Ms Mahmood’s attack.
A spokeswoman retorted: “The Green Party recognises the great contribution that migrants and refugees make to British society and we want to see policy that treats everyone with dignity rather than treating them harshly for political gain. The Home Secretary is deliberately misrepresenting Green Party Policy and reducing it to cheap soundbites.”
“Our win in Gorton and Denton showed that the public aren’t taken in by Labour’s attempts to follow Reform on blaming migrants for the problems facing people in this country.
“The Green message of a fair and managed migration system, and urgent action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, is resonating, and Labour are panicked.”
“While Labour continue to smear Green voters as, in the words of the Prime Minister, extremists, we will continue to stand up for all those that chose to make Britain their homes.”
Ex-asylum seeker issues plea to Home Secretary
Writing for The Mirror, Allan Njanji calls on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to think again about sweeping changes to the asylum system – saying things will change in a ‘profound and terrifying way’.
He said: “Receiving refugee status is supposed to mean something simple and profound: safety.
“When you are finally granted protection, it is not just a legal decision. It is the first moment in months or years when you can begin to exhale. It is the point at which survival can turn into rebuilding, and when you can start to imagine contributing, working, studying, belonging.
“But for new refugees, things are about to change in a profound and terrifying way. The Government has announced refugees will now be granted only a temporary reprieve from whatever turmoil they’ve fled, just 30 months until they’re forced to prove, again, that their lives are at risk in the home they were forced to leave. It’s a plan that will set back integration, threaten human rights, and cost taxpayers millions.”
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Mahmood to claim her plans fit in with Labour values
Ms Mahmood will argue Labour values are at the heart of her proposals, urging voters not to be tempted by the Greens. She is expected to say: “Some say, in response, that we should turn to the path proposed by the Greens.
“That we should create a world without borders, that nation states are social constructs and patriotism is a dirty word. To some, this might seem like harmless student politics. But the danger and the possible damage is real.”
Shabana Mahmood to make Nigel Farage ‘nightmare’ warning
The Home Secretary will warn failure to tackle small boats will pave the way for a Nigel Farage “nightmare” – with far-right little Englanders growing stronger.
The Home Secretary will also turn her fire on the Green Party as she defends her controversial migration shake-up. Ms Mahmood faces a backbench backlash over plans to make refugee status temporary and withdraw support for asylum seekers.
She will announce asylum seekers who break the law or work illegally will be thrown out of taxpayer-funded accommodation, such as hotels. In a speech in central London, she will argue: “When people see small boat arrivals, at their current scale or they feel the pace and scale of migration today, they feel like we have lost control.
“A loss of control breeds fear and when fearful, people turn inwards. Their vision of this country narrows. Their patriotism turns into something smaller, something darker, an ethno-nationalism emerges. The idea of a greater Britain gives way to the lure of a littler England. And other voices – voices to the far right – take hold.”
In a swipe at Reform and the Greens, she will claim her plans set a path between “Farage’s nightmare pulling up the drawbridge and shutting out the world” and “(Zack) Polanski’s fairy-tale of open borders”.