Green-Led Lambeth Council Vows to Block Immigration Enforcement, Branded ‘Dangerous’

A Green-led London council has declared its intent to review and potentially cease cooperation with immigration enforcement, a move critics brand as ‘extreme’ and ‘dangerous’. This decision, announced during ‘Refugee Week’, raises serious questions about national security and the rule of law.

Lambeth Council, which recently elected its first-ever Green administration, is undertaking an urgent review of its arrangements for sharing intelligence and information with immigration officers. The council expressed concerns that Home Office raids are ‘causing fear’ and ‘dividing communities’ within the borough, opting to prioritise these concerns over assisting national immigration efforts.

Lambeth’s New Green Administration Takes Radical Stance

The review was commissioned by Jonathan Bartley, a former co-leader of the Greens and now Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for ‘safer, thriving neighbourhoods’. This initiative follows May’s elections, which saw the Green Party secure the largest number of seats in the south London borough, leading to their first administration.

The local authority stated its review would scrutinise current policies, practices, and partnerships related to immigration enforcement activity. This bold move by the newly elected Green council signals a significant departure from standard local government cooperation with national law enforcement agencies.

Council Leader Declares ‘All Migrants Welcome’ Stance

‘Lambeth is home to people from every corner of 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. Immigration raids are causing fear and dividing Lambeth’s communities. 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. We need a clear picture of what is happening now, under what circumstances information is being shared, and whether current arrangements reflect the kind of borough we aspire to be.’

— Jonathan Bartley, Cabinet Member for ‘Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods’, Lambeth Council

Mr Bartley, who served as Green co-leader from 2016 to 2021, explicitly stated in a video on the council’s website that he would “make sure we are not cooperating with immigration enforcement”. He further added, “All migrants welcome… that’s what so many people in Lambeth believe,” asserting that the council aims to combat the “hostile environment” and ensure Lambeth is a “safe and secure community” for everyone.

Key Concerns Raised by Lambeth’s Policy Shift

• Lambeth Council is urgently reviewing its cooperation with immigration enforcement officers.
• The Green-led administration fears Home Office raids are ‘causing fear’ and ‘dividing communities’.
• Jonathan Bartley, former Green co-leader, is spearheading the review to ensure the council does not cooperate with immigration enforcement.
• Senior Tory MP Chris Philp labelled the policy ‘extreme’ and ‘dangerous’, warning it signals Britain as a ‘soft touch’ to human traffickers.
• The move could hinder efforts to track down illegal migrants, undermining national border security.

What This Means for Britain

This radical policy shift by Lambeth Council sends a chilling message across Britain. When local authorities actively seek to obstruct national immigration enforcement, it undermines the very fabric of our laws and national security. This isn’t just about abstract policy; it’s about the safety and resources of every working family in Britain.

The economic implications are stark. A perceived ‘soft touch’ approach to illegal immigration strains public services, from the NHS to housing, funded by hardworking taxpayers. It risks encouraging more illegal crossings, further burdening the system and diverting vital resources away from legal residents.

Politically, this represents a dangerous precedent. It’s a clear challenge to central government authority and a betrayal of the public’s trust in maintaining secure borders. This Green-led council’s actions highlight a disturbing pattern of prioritising ideological agendas over the practical realities of national sovereignty and community safety.

The stakes could not be higher. If local councils are permitted to unilaterally decide which national laws to uphold, Britain risks becoming a patchwork of uncontrolled zones, vulnerable to exploitation. This decision threatens to embolden those who seek to circumvent our immigration laws and destabilise our communities.

This must be seen by every British voter. Demand answers from your MP. Share if you believe Britain deserves better.

Source: Daily Mail | Breaking Brexit News