Labour has smashed its moral compass on immigration
Reaction from Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman to the vile speech given by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Maggie said:
“This is one of the vilest and most contemptible speeches ever given by a mainstream politician. It is reminiscent of Enoch Powell’s Rivers of Blood speech of nearly 50 years ago. Labour has not just lost its moral compass, it has smashed it to pieces.
“The cruel policies being implemented by this Home Secretary will mean more anxiety, misery and trauma for people who have already been through unimaginable horrors.
“It would have been a grotesque speech at any time, but for her to do it when far right groups are surrounding hotels and terrorising people in the streets is obscene and will only make things worse.
“What is the point of having a human rights lawyer like Keir Starmer in Downing Street if he is prepared to sign off on policies that show such a blatant disregard for basic rights and dignity?
“Shabana Mahmood is wrong. It is not immigration that is tearing our country apart. It is the hate and division being spewed by the far right and those mimicking them.
“We know that we cannot defeat Reform or the forces of hate by pandering to them. Such behaviour, scapegoating immigrants and people of colour, will only result in more extreme policies in future.
“Every Labour MP has a choice to make. Are they really happy to be the sort of party that threatens deportation for people who have lived here for decades while humiliating refugees and confiscating their jewellery? If not then now is the time for them to find their voices.
“Immigrants make phenomenal contributions to life in the UK, working in pretty much every sector and industry and bringing invaluable cultural diversity and creativity to our society.”