July 5th 2024.
After many attempts, Nigel Farage has finally been elected as an MP, with his Reform UK Party winning four seats in the recent general election. This means that around one in six people who voted in the election supported a party that campaigned on immigration policies that have been described as cruel and heartless.
In one of his first interviews as an MP, Farage made it clear that controlling immigration will be his main focus. While some may see this as a victory, those of us in the migrants rights sector are not celebrating. Yes, the previous government's harmful Rwanda scheme has been stopped, but the election results are far from a win for those who care about the wellbeing of migrants in this country.
The success of anti-migrant politicians is a troubling trend that has spread across party lines. Over the past five years, we have seen an increase in hostile and divisive language and policies towards migrants, with politicians from various parties adopting the rhetoric of the far-right. This is not a time for celebration, but a time for concern.
Anti-immigrant sentiment is a complex issue that cannot be solved with a single solution. While Labour has promised to end the Rwanda scheme, the hostile environment and scapegoating of migrants still exist. There is also an alarming rise in militarization at the border and a denial of basic rights, all under the guise of political pragmatism, which only serves the agenda of the far-right.
As an organization that advocates for migrants' rights, our main focus is on the wellbeing of our clients and the communities we serve. We cannot ignore the impact that these harmful policies have on the people we work with. Our clients come to this country in search of a better life, and instead, they are met with increasing hostility from those in power.
We have seen the devastating consequences of far-right ideologies on the lives of migrants, such as the reports of coastguards in Greece throwing people into the sea to their deaths. We cannot allow these hateful policies to dictate the narrative around migrants for the next five years. It is time to draw a line and make it clear that the far-right will no longer control the debate on immigration.
With four Reform UK Party MPs in parliament, there is a real concern that they will use their platform to further influence the immigration debate. Instead of allowing these divisive policies to continue, we need to come together and demand a progressive immigration and asylum system that prioritizes compassion and care.
The government must listen to organizations like ours that work directly with migrants, as well as the voices of ordinary citizens who have friends, family, and communities that value and love the migrants within them. Only then can we build a fairer and happier nation that we can all be proud of. The truth is, immigration is only a major issue in the minds of politicians and certain sections of the media. The majority of people do not see it as a negative, as shown by recent data and voter priorities.
It is time for the government to take control of immigration by rejecting the far-right's narrative and proposing a more progressive and compassionate approach. We all have a role to play in shaping the future of our country, and it starts with standing up against hateful policies and advocating for a fairer and more inclusive society.
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