In an open letter more than 350 groups – coordinated by Asylum Matters – say they are speaking up for ‘meaningful and enduring contributions’ of migrants
Hundreds of organisations come together today with refugee and migrant groups to stand against the “politics of division”.
In an open letter more than 350 groups – coordinated by Asylum Matters – say they are speaking up for “meaningful and enduring contributions” of migrants. Some of the groups include the National Education Union, the anti-fascist group HOPE not hate, refugee charity Care4Calais, and LGBT+ charities.
Over 600 individuals have also signed the letter, including the former Green Party spokesperson Larry Sanders – the brother of the US Senator Bernie Sanders.
The letter says: “The politics of division are placing our communities under attack, including: migrants, refugees, people seeking asylum, racialised people, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people, people living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet and survive, homeless people, those with care & support needs and many more.”
The organisations also criticised Keir Starmer’s recent warning that Britain risks becoming an “island of strangers” during a speech unveiling new measures to curb migration.
During the address he said migration was a part of “Britain’s national story”. He added he “you will never hear me denigrate” the “massive contribution” of migrants. But the PM faced a fierce backlash over the “islands of strangers” comment with one Labour MP branding the remarks “shameful”.
In the letter published today, the organisations say: “Together, as representatives of civil society and as individuals and organisations embedded in communities across the country, we stand against the recent rhetoric of the Prime Minister, irresponsible politicians and that of the far-right, that serves only to divide our communities.” They added: “We are and will remain an island of solidarity, not strangers.”
Nick Lowels, CEO of HOPE not hate, said: “Less than a year on from the riots, it is imperative that politicians are careful that their language does not dehumanise or divide communities. We need to make sure we don’t stigmatise already marginalised groups.”
A No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is proud of Britain’s diversity, which he celebrated in his speech. Migration is a vital part of our national story, and we reject divisive narratives. Millions, including many Mirror readers, backed Labour at the election to take back control of the borders and end the Tory chaos that let a million people in within a year.
“We’re building a country where we move forward together as neighbours, not strangers—because diversity is one of our greatest strengths.”
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