Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing a significant political firestorm in his own backyard after the Home Office quietly moved nearly 200 asylum seekers into a luxury hotel within his constituency.
The four-star Great Stoney Hotel in Epping, Essex, has been converted into temporary accommodation, housing migrants while their claims are processed. The move has ignited fury among local Conservative MPs and residents who allege a complete lack of consultation from the government.
Dame Eleanor Laing, the Conservative MP for Epping Forest, launched a scathing attack, condemning the decision as "appalling" and accusing the Home Office of showing "contempt" for local people. She revealed that despite her position, she was given no prior warning about the plans.
The situation places Sir Keir in a deeply uncomfortable position. As the local MP, he is now caught between his party's national stance on immigration and the acute concerns of his constituents. Locals have expressed fears about the potential strain on already stretched public services, including local GP surgeries and schools.
This incident is not isolated. It highlights the growing national tension surrounding the UK's asylum policy and the government's practice of using hotels across the country to house migrants—a solution that is often as costly as it is controversial. The standoff in Epping Forest is a microcosm of a much larger, nationwide challenge.
