Simon Steyne, a former senior adviser on fundamental rights at work for the International Labour Organization, has written a letter arguing that Andy Burnham has an opportunity to win back anti-racist former Labour supporters by adopting a pro-migrant stance. The letter responds to a Guardian editorial on the immigration bill, which noted that each draconian turn reinforces voters' conviction that the system is out of control, encouraging support for extreme opposition parties.
Critique of Government and Media
Steyne points out that beyond diehard racists, there are those convinced that migration and asylum pose existential threats to the UK. He criticizes the government for refusing to present contrary evidence and mainstream media for persistently conflating migration and asylum, undocumented entry, smuggling, and trafficking. He highlights that media coverage focuses heavily on small boats but neglects the absence of safe routes. Additionally, he notes the lack of a 'first safe country' provision in the 1951 UN convention, which would mean few refugees would reach the UK if it existed.
Moral Red Lines for Labour Supporters
Steyne suggests that while Labour supporters might compromise on economic and fiscal policy, anti-racist progressives view anti-migrant rhetoric and the intentional infliction of suffering on people fleeing persecution as visceral, moral red lines. He references six London boroughs where the Green party is pre-eminent, which are overwhelmingly remain-voting and among Britain's most cosmopolitan, with majority populations descended from migrants and refugees. He implies that accusing such families of making Britain an 'island of strangers' was unwise.
Opportunity for Andy Burnham
Steyne concludes that Andy Burnham has a chance to speak truthfully about the normality and benefits of migration, and the UK's obligations under the 1951 UN refugee convention. By acting accordingly, he could win back anti-racist former Labour supporters who reject xenophobic migration policies and performative cruelty, including against asylum-seeking children, which Labour peer Alf Dubs has rightly condemned.
