Immigration Survey
In June 2016, Ipswich voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU. One of the biggest advantages of leaving the EU is the ability for the UK to control our borders again – I am committed to upholding this.
By contrast, the Labour Party – dominated by the London elite – tried to block Brexit and are now frustrating all attempts to control immigration.
As your MP, I have strongly opposed the use of the Novotel Hotel to house asylum seekers. I led a special debate in Parliament and have raised this issue every week in Parliament since the news broke. I’m appalled at the way in which some of my constituents have been treated by their employer, NOVOTEL. I’m also very worried about the impact this is having on the local economy.
Ipswich has a proud record of welcoming genuine refugees from around the world who are fleeing persecution. The Homes for Ukraine scheme has been a particularly inspirational example of this. We should be proud of being such a welcoming Town, but what’s going on at the Novotel is wrong on many different levels. We need to be tough but fair in distinguishing between those who are genuinely fleeing persecution and those who have chosen a route to illegally enter our country from another safe European country. I am committed to putting a stop to this.
The PM has announced new plans to use cheaper accommodation sites, so we can move migrants out of expensive hotels, saving the taxpayer money. We will identify a range of alternative sites such as disused holiday parks, former student halls and surplus military land, working with local authorities to ensure everyone takes their fair share.
Labour have bitterly opposed everything I’ve been looking to achieve on this issue. Labour’s London based leader has ordered Labour MPs to consistently vote against the Government’s plans to control immigration. Whether that would be through opposing the Rwanda scheme, voting against the Nationality and Borders Act, or defending freedom of movement at all costs throughout his leadership campaign. Even locally, the Labour candidate has never supported any attempt to tackle illegal immigration and instead has made multiple trips to the migrant camp in Calais. It’s clear that Labour don’t want to control immigration.
I have been one of the most vocal MPs in Parliament on the issue of tackling illegal immigration. My record speaks for itself. We cannot go back to a policy of low-wage, low-skilled uncontrolled immigration. That’s why, I would love to hear your views about immigration.
Rwanda policy
So the good news this week was that the High Court said the Rwanda policy was lawful. The frustrating news is the first flights still haven’t taken off!
I personally find it unbelievable that one judge connected to the European Convention of Human Rights can, at the eleventh hour, delay the whole thing by about 6 months. This is about how long it’s taken the High Court to stick by its original decision.
Sadly, there are further opportunities for those who are deeply opposed to us controlling our own borders to try and throw further spanners in the wheels.
You will see the question I asked the Home Secretary earlier this week. My frustration is clear and I share it with so many of my constituents.
I really hope the legal changes the PM is planning early next year will address all these issues. Ultimately, it should be for our own sovereign Parliament to pass laws on this, and frankly everything should be on the table in my view.
Part of our approach to tackling illegal immigration must involve the deportation of those who have decided to come here illegally to safe third countries such as Rwanda, if it isn’t safe for them to return to their home country.
The Prime Minister made clear last week that in the new year he will pass laws to make it impossible for those who come here illegally to be able to stay here. This is absolutely critical, and I will continue to push as hard as I can.
BBC Radio Suffolk today discussing the Novotel
On BBC Radio Suffolk today discussing the Novotel situation. You can listen to my full interview here.
I’m continuing to push for a total rethink to how the Home Office chooses to locate these illegal migrants. Hotels like the Novotel are completely the wrong place. Ipswich particularly is a visitor economy, and taking this hotel out of commission sets back local businesses and has put Ipswich residents out of their jobs.
We can be generous to genuine refugees, but people illegally entering from safe European countries should not be allowed to stay and should absolutely not be housed in hotels at the taxpayer’s expense.
Novotel Debate
Had my debate on the Novotel today. The Court case is also being held today on whether or not the temporary injunction blocking the use of Ipswich hotels for asylum seekers will be upheld. Fingers crossed.
I honestly don’t know what the short-term outcome of all of this will be but I gave my speech this morning some real welly. I will continue to be very outspoken on this issue. Both on the use of the Novotel and also the issue of illegal immigration more broadly.
I’m very concerned at the way in which some of my constituents who were employees at the Novotel have been treated. I’m also very concerned about the impact of the Novotel being used for this purpose on the local economy.
I will always put the interests of my constituents first. Myself and my office are not there to support those who have decided to enter our country illegally from another safe European country.
Ipswich has a proud record of welcoming genuine refugees from around the world who are fleeing persecution. We should be proud of this. We’re a welcoming Town but what’s going on at the Novotel is wrong on many different levels.
The Minister in response to my speech has agreed to look again at the matter. He also said the Government will be escalating efforts to curb the crossings. Let’s see. I will continue to work with colleagues to hold the Government’s feet to the fire on this issue.
Novotel Debate
Had my debate on the Novotel today. The Court case is also being held today on whether or not the temporary injunction blocking the use of Ipswich hotels for asylum seekers will be upheld. Fingers crossed.
I honestly don’t know what the short-term outcome of all of this will be but I gave my speech this morning some real welly. I will continue to be very outspoken on this issue. Both on the use of the Novotel and also the issue of illegal immigration more broadly.
I’m very concerned at the way in which some of my constituents who were employees at the Novotel have been treated. I’m also very concerned about the impact of the Novotel being used for this purpose on the local economy.
I will always put the interests of my constituents first. Myself and my office are not there to support those who have decided to enter our country illegally from another safe European country.
Ipswich has a proud record of welcoming genuine refugees from around the world who are fleeing persecution. We should be proud of this. We’re a welcoming Town but what’s going on at the Novotel is wrong on many different levels.
The Minister in response to my speech has agreed to look again at the matter. He also said the Government will be escalating efforts to curb the crossings. Let’s see. I will continue to work with colleagues to hold the Government’s feet to the fire on this issue.
Meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Queen’s speech, small boat crossings and reckless eco protestors
Queens Speech Reaction
A few thoughts on the Queen’s speech. Will be making a speech about it on Thursday. It was an amazing experience being in the Royal gallery but sorry not to see the Queen who I know we’re all thinking about at the moment.
New asylum seeker rules
Today, Home Secretary Rt Hon Priti Patel is in Rwanda finalising a £120 million deal that will see some asylum seekers’ applications, largely single men that the British Authorities see as inadmissible, processed in the African nation. This is in response to large numbers of individuals who ignore the legal routes for immigration in favour of dangerous crossings in small boats onto British shores. This trade has only grown in recent years, with this year looking set to break another record for attempted crossings. Unfortunately, this success only further encourages individuals to try to cross and has resulted in even more deaths of people trying to reach the UK.
The steps announced by the Home Secretary today are a strong indication of the Government’s commitment to tackle the deplorable trade started by criminal gangs and to prevent the tragic loss of life when these small boats sink. The Prime Minister also announced that this new decision is part of the Government’s longer-term plan to take back control of illegal immigration, with the Royal Navy also now commanding the Channel crossings operation. These are encouraging steps welcomed by the 1922 Backbench Home Affairs Committee.
Chairman Tom Hunt MP commented “Both Lee and I are very confident the vast majority of Conservative MPs will welcome what was announced today. With over 600 people risking their lives by crossing the channel on Wednesday, this is much wanted news. Figures from last year showed over 20,000 more individuals crossed compared with 2020, and the Prime Minister pointed out today that 70% of those who come over illegally are young men. Each one of these crossings is supporting a diabolical trade, fuelled by criminal gangs that does not seem to be slowing down. These steps from the Government today are a big step in the right direction and will place a much-needed deterrence on these crossings.
I have long called for offshore processing since my election in 2019. I firmly believe it is the only way to effectively deter these small boat crossings that so very often result in the tragic loss of life. I know that Australia has effective offshore processing, and it is high time that the United Kingdom follows suit. Since leaving the EU we’ve effectively taken control of legal immigration, but we need to do the same with both illegal immigration and our asylum system, and this is a big step towards that.
I also note that some in the Labour party have labelled this as ‘cruel’ and attempted to link this positive action, long in the pipeline, with the Prime Minister’s current position. I would ask what is crueller? Allowing this illegal trade to continue, where drownings are frequent, high-risk collisions with haulage tankers are likely and where individuals firmly believe living in a camp in Calais is the right thing to do or sending a clear message preventing these journeys in the first place?
I would also argue that every illegal immigrant that ends up on our shores from another safe European country in France, limits our capacity to take in genuine refugees, like those from Ukraine, who desperately need safety and our support. Today’s news opens up a clear dividing line between politicians who truly want us to control our borders and those who don’t.
Some individuals are criticising the cost associated with what is being proposed. I would argue that costs associated with today’s decision are unlikely to be never ending, as the deterring effect, preventing others from making the crossing, will save significant costs in the future. In addition to this I would ask what are the costs of currently accommodating illegal immigrants? Many are in hotels and with record numbers expected this year, this will only add to the never ending costs associated.
I welcome this news and will see that the 1922 Backbench Home Affairs Committee supports the implication of this as soon as possible. It is about time that we tackled this long-standing issue of illegal immigration, and I am glad I can show my constituents, who have long called for firm action to be taken, that the Government is listening and acting.”