Labour's Fear of Addressing Immigration

The new shadow justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has spoken out about the Labour party's past reluctance to address concerns over high immigration. Mahmood believes that the party has been too scared to discuss the impact that high numbers of immigrants can have on the NHS and housing. In her first interview since taking on the role, Mahmood criticized Home Secretary Suella Braverman for her comments about a migration "hurricane" hitting Britain.

Labour Seeks to Regain Red Wall Voters

With the Labour conference just around the corner, Mahmood urged voters who deserted the party in 2019 to give Labour a second look. In an effort to regain the support of Red Wall voters, she emphasized that Labour is now comfortable discussing the complexities and difficulties surrounding the immigration debate, without giving up on legitimate public concerns across the country.

No Queasiness in Addressing Concerns

Mahmood made it clear that Labour should not be "queasy" about addressing concerns over immigration. She stated that the party is finally comfortable discussing this important issue, while also acknowledging the concerns of those who wish to divide the country. Although she did not explicitly state that numbers should be reduced, she emphasized that Labour is now willing to tackle this topic head-on.

Record High Immigration Numbers

Immigration to the UK has reached a record high, with 1.2 million people entering the country. According to the office for National Statistics, net migration (the difference between those coming and leaving) stands at 606,000. These numbers have sparked debates and discussions about the impact on the nation.

Inflammatory Rhetoric from Home Secretary

During the recent Tory party conference, Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned of a migration "hurricane" that is set to hit Britain. She accused her opponents of supporting "open borders." However, Mahmood criticized these remarks, branding them deliberately inflammatory and divisive. She believes that Braverman is using unrealistic numbers to scare the public.

The Labour Party as the Party of Law and Order

Mahmood emphasized that the Labour Party is committed to being the party of law and order. She expressed concern over the state of the criminal justice system, stating that it has been brought "to its knees." Additionally, she highlighted the loss of public confidence in the police, following the Sarah Everard murder and other shocking scandals.

Addressing Concerns over Deportation of Foreign Criminals

Mahmood addressed a controversial letter she signed in 2020 expressing "grave concern" about plans to deport 50 foreign criminals to Jamaica. She clarified that the letter called for the completion of the Windrush Lessons Learned review and for proper identification and deportation of foreign offenders, while ensuring that individuals who are effectively citizens of the country are not wrongfully deported. She explained that she signed the letter due to a specific case involving a constituent who had served in Afghanistan.