“The British government’s asylum plans are nothing short of disastrous, and an abhorrent concession to the far-right,” Gerry Carroll said.
“It’s clear that Labour is pursuing state racism in a desperate attempt to outflank Reform. The fact that Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson have welcomed these reforms speaks volumes of Labour’s political trajectory.”
“Making people’s refugee status subject to constant review for two decades is simply performative cruelty. This will foster an environment of uncertainty and insecurity, where people arriving in Britain and Ireland - those fleeing war, poverty and persecution - could be uprooted and deported through no fault of their own.”
“Labour’s undoing of the right to privacy and family life will have devastating and far-reaching impacts right across society. Making housing and weekly allowances discretionary for asylum seekers who are legally prohibited from working will inevitably fuel human trafficking and exploitative, dangerous work in the underground economy.”
“These reforms won’t stop people fleeing war and persecution from coming to Britain and the north of Ireland. They will only drive migrants towards unsafe routes of travel.
“These reforms might appease a small section of society who have swallowed lies from the far-right. But the vast majority of people see right through this desperate attempt to pander to racism. We won’t allow the far-right to divide us, and nor will we sit back while Labour escalates the hostile environment. Working class people will shape our own future together, and resist state violence against asylum-seekers and refugees.”