Your thoughtful editorial about the immigration bill stresses that, despite demonstrable facts, “Each turn of the dial in a draconian direction reinforces voters’ conviction that the system is out of control, encouraging support for opposition parties that pledge increasingly extreme measures” (The Guardian view on yet another immigration bill: law as performance is a failing model, 1 July).
Indeed, besides diehard racists there are those who have been convinced that migration and asylum present existential threats to Britain. The government refuses to present the contrary evidence, and most mainstream media persistent in conflating migration and asylum, undocumented entry, smuggling and trafficking, and devote much coverage to small boats but little to the absence of safe routes. They also ignore the absence, in the 1951 UN convention, of a “first safe country” provision (if it existed, hardly any refugees would be here).
But a flipside to this pandering to racism and xenophobia might be emerging. Labour supporters might be persuaded to compromise on economic and fiscal policy, but for many anti-racist progressives, anti-migrant rhetoric and intentional infliction of suffering on people fleeing persecution and conflict represent visceral, moral red lines.
While migrants and their descendants live in communities throughout Britain, perhaps the six London boroughs where the Green party is pre-eminent warrant further study. Overwhelmingly remain-voting, they are among Britain’s most cosmopolitan: a majority of their populations are descendants of migrants and refugees or recent arrivals from very many countries (accusing families of making Britain an island of strangers was, perhaps, unwise).
Andy Burnham has a chance to speak truthfully about the normality and benefits of migration, and the UK’s obligations as a state party to the 1951 UN refugee convention, and to act accordingly. That might win back anti-racist former Labour supporters who reject xenophobic migration policies and the performative cruelty, including against asylum-seeking children, which the Labour peer Alf Dubs has rightly condemned.
Simon Steyne
Former senior adviser on fundamental rights at work, International Labour Organization
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