A Green-led London council has indicated it may limit cooperation with immigration enforcement officials, arguing that raids are dividing communities. Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth Council's cabinet member for safer, thriving neighbourhoods and former local Green Party co-leader, posted a video on the council website stating the borough believes in 'diversity, equity and inclusion'.
Council's Stance on Immigration Enforcement
In the video, Cllr Bartley said the authority would take a 'careful look' at how it shares information with immigration officials. He stood in front of a wall with graffiti reading 'all migrants welcome' and emphasised that Lambeth is home to people from around the world. 'Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we want all residents to feel safe, valued and able to engage with public services without fear,' he said.
Bartley claimed that immigration raids, which occur only when there is suspicion of illegal presence in the UK, are 'causing fear and dividing Lambeth's communities'. He suggested that residents fear contacting the council for help due to potential cooperation with immigration enforcement. 'They fear the knock on the door from immigration enforcement, they fear they can't turn to the council for help when they might be in exploitative circumstances because perhaps the council is actually cooperating with council enforcement,' he added.
Refugee Week Announcement
Speaking at the start of Refugee Week on June 15, Bartley announced: 'As Refugee Week begins, it is right that we take a careful and transparent look at how information is shared in relation to immigration enforcement activity.' The council posted on Twitter: 'We're launching an urgent review into our co-operation with immigration enforcement. Lambeth is proud of its diversity — and everyone deserves to feel safe and supported.'
Lambeth is run by a minority Green Party administration after winning 27 seats in the May local elections. Bartley said he was 'proud to represent a borough that believes in diversity, equity and inclusion'.
National Context and Criticism
From July 2024 to December 2025, there were over 12,300 arrests nationally by immigration officials from the Home Office, with highest numbers in London, the West Midlands, and the South West. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised the council's stance, warning that impeding immigration enforcement is dangerous and that the Green Party stands for open borders. 'This is yet another extreme, dangerous immigration policy from the Green Party. Immigration officers do a vital job tracking down anyone who has come here illegally. Stopping them from doing their duty sends a signal to human traffickers everywhere that Britain is a soft touch. The only thing the Greens stand for is open borders at all costs,' he told the Mail.
