Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reverse Labour's 'dangerous anti-migrant slant,' following Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's announcement that asylum seekers will be forced to pay £10,000 before they can settle permanently. Polanski argues the policy raises more questions than answers and is not about saving money.
Policy Details and Criticism
Mahmood's plan, which she claims will 'save' the asylum system, was compared to the student loans scheme and is not expected to generate significant revenue. Polanski points out that if the government were truly concerned about costs, it would not house asylum seekers in military barracks or block them from working. He also notes that extending the period of limbo does not reduce division in communities.
'The cost isn’t the point – and neither is the impact on our communities,' Polanski wrote in a Metro.co.uk op-ed. 'I believe that for this government, the point is to demonstrate cruelty no matter what the cost, human or financial.'
Labour's Record on Migration
Polanski criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for abandoning his pledge to build 'an immigration system based on compassion and dignity.' Over two years in government, Starmer's administration has engaged in performative cruelty, including dehumanising deportation videos and his 'Island of Strangers' speech, which Polanski says echoes Enoch Powell. Despite these efforts, the government has not seen higher poll ratings or improved public perception of its migration policy.
'That’s just another side effect of the government’s deeply damaging slide towards legitimising Reform’s toxic and divisive narrative,' Polanski added.
Andy Burnham's Stance
Polanski expressed concern that Burnham, widely expected to become Prime Minister, backs Mahmood's reforms and has pledged to expand detention centres. He urged Burnham to adopt a different approach: 'Only a full reset on rhetoric, and the implementation of a genuinely fair and managed migration system, can begin to heal the deep wounds that right wing politicians have torn in our communities.'
The Green Party proposes safe and managed routes for asylum seekers, breaking up the Home Office to treat migration as a non-criminal issue, and allowing asylum seekers to work. 'It’s these common sense solutions, not more performative cruelty, that will fix our broken migration system,' Polanski concluded.
