Extraordinary!

Know how you think of the exact right thing to say when it's too late?

Not Ann.

Ann said the exact right thing at the Erewash Borough Council Extraordinary Meeting last week.

"It doesn’t matter how many litres of Tippex you’ve used on this amendment the subtext of political showboating and scapegoating of asylum seekers (still pejoratively referred to as ‘migrants’) remains. We all know that motions like this fuel division and fear. This council should be countering the misinformation, not condoning the scapegoating of already vulnerable groups. This amendment doesn’t address the real problem: the Home Office backlog of over 100,000 asylum cases waiting to be processed, or address the need for safe routes so that no man, woman or child has to cross the Channel in a small boat.

Residents are still being sold a myth that the closure of hotels and the apparent resulting disappearance of asylum seekers into thin air will solve all their problems. When in fact it will have no impact on the cost of living crisis, no impact on impending benefit cuts and no impact on high energy costs.

My discusssions with residents who have taken the time and trouble to familiarise themselves with the facts of the asylum process would prefer solutions that are humane, legal, and cost-effective and enable us to build a cohesive, strong and prosperous community in Erewash.

We are being told that it is simply a planning enforcement issue. And that is exactly how it is being presented. But we all know what drives it and what it encourages: racism, the weaponisation of women’s safety, faux concern for community cohesion and xenophobia.

So let’s talk about Planning Enforcement. There are over 100 outstanding enforcement issues in Erewash. I guess I’ve been misleading my residents by advising that we report breaches of Planning to the Enforcement team then wait patiently for them to be resolved. Obviously, I should encourage residents to go and shout at the offending structure and its occupants and then call for an extraordinary meeting because of the community unrest? I don’t think that’s a sensible idea.

But that’s exactly what’s happening here, now. The motion and its public pronouncement, the increase in misinformation about the men in the hotel: (because this isn’t about the hotel, is it? It’s about its residents), and quite frankly their demonisation, coupled, I’m sorry to say, by a lack of pushback and calling out of the divisive rhetoric by both local and national leadership, has become a self-fulfilling prophecy: they tell us ‘there will be community unrest’ and voila! Here we are.

If the motion passes. What has been achieved? Who have we helped?

Will people see an instant improvement in their living standards?

Will the 2 child benefit cap be lifted; the winter fuel allowance be reinstated; the PIP review be stopped; all the potholes be filled?

Will we all have to pay less tax?

No. None of these. Not one.

In fact, it's the opposite. If this motion passes and the council loses the case for the injunction it could be liable for the costs resulting in a possible rise in council tax. It will also set a dangerous precedent – whip up enough community unrest and tensions by fair means or foul and you get your agenda pushed into the limelight.

I really hope that councillors aren’t being influenced by the intimidatory behaviour of some of those who support the motion.

I just want to address one more thing.

Under international law (1951 Refugee Convention, signed by the UK), seeking asylum is never illegal - regardless of the method of arrival.

Those with the luxury of choice arrive by scheduled flight or ferry. Would you choose a terrifying journey across the Channel in a small boat if it wasn’t your only option? But some people fleeing war, persecution, political imprisonment or execution, torture or trafficking do not have that choice so come to the UK on a small boat.

And, once here, they are not simply ‘let in’. They are immediately registered, identified, and go through a rigorous vetting process. Every single man in the Best Western in known to the Home Office and is having their case investigated. They are probably some of the most closely scrutinised people in the borough. "

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20iWQlsvVkA&t=2085s)