Britain accused of diluting 'proud tradition' of protecting political refugees

 

The UK government has confirmed to The National it will continue its “proud tradition” of welcoming political asylum seekers despite the introduction of strict new migration laws.

Refugees will now have to live in the UK for 20 years before they can settle permanently, after a sweeping overhaul of the asylum system announced by the Home Office on Monday.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, spearheaded by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is part of the most significant shake-up of Britain’s approach to asylum seekers in modern times.

The British government is determined to assert its authority by clamping down on illegal migrants and it is feared those seeking political persecution will be subject to the tough new rules.

Asked by The National whether the UK would continue to welcome those fleeing conflict and oppression, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said the government would “never seek to return anyone to be tortured in their own country”.

“We're proud of being an open and tolerant country, and those are values that this Prime Minister will always defend, but the public rightly holds conditions to this generosity,” the spokesman added. “These plans are about reducing the pressures caused by uncontrolled immigration, keeping Britain true to its proud tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing danger.”

He insisted the latest policy was to make Britain “less attractive for illegal migrants” but said there would be safe and legal routes “for genuine refugees”. A record number of migrants is expected to cross the English Channel by small boat this year, with 37,000 having made the trip by the end of October.

The Prime Minister's spokesman added: “It will allow us to continue giving sanctuary to those fleeing danger and ensure those who contribute to the economy can gain settlement quicker".

British people do not “want to close the doors” on asylum seekers, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said as she unveiled the plan. The Government would open new, capped, safe and legal routes into the country “as order and control is restored”. These would include community sponsorship, skilled workers and talented students.

The schemes would start with hundreds allowed to come to the UK but then grow.

Since the Second World War, Britain has become home to tens of thousands of refugees fleeing war, from displaced Poles, Uganda Asians, Vietnamese boat people and more recently from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Now, at a time when so many are fleeing conflict and repression, “Britain must remain a beacon of compassion and hope”, independent Muslim MP Ayoub Khan told The National.

“For generations, people have risked everything to reach our shores because they believed in the values that define this country: fairness, humanity and the promise of safety,” said the son of migrants from Kashmir.

“Britain has always stood tallest when it has stood with empathy,” Mr Khan added. “I urge the government, and particularly the Home Secretary, to return to the compassionate, principled approach to asylum.

“Our moral leadership in the world is measured not by how we treat the powerful, but by how we treat those who are seeking our protection.”