Camden Council has reaffirmed its commitment to being a Borough of Sanctuary and has condemned a recent far-right demonstration in London.
The decision came during a full council meeting on Thursday, where councillors also urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to stop using negative language about people coming from overseas, language they believe mirrors that of the previous Conservative Government, particularly focusing on irregular and illegal immigration.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Tom Simon, Leader of the Opposition, and seconded by Councillor Matthew Kirk, was prompted by a far-right demonstration in central London on 13 September. The council noted that the division and hatred espoused at the demonstration, including racism and transphobia, go directly against the values of unity, openness and compassion that we hold dear.
The motion also highlighted the contributions of immigrants and refugees to Camden and the UK, noting that without people coming from overseas to bolster our workforce, some industries and key public services could collapse.
Councillors expressed concern that communication from the Labour Government, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, closely follows the pattern of the previous Conservative Government, focusing on irregular and illegal immigration and neglecting to provide much needed balance in the narrative on this key issue for the country.
The council believes the nature of this communication by successive governments has contributed to the rise of Reform UK and the Far Right.
As a result, the council resolved to reconfirm the commitment to the ideals and practice of being a Borough of Sanctuary, against a rising tide of hatred and division and to write to the Prime Minister, urging him to stop the cycle of negative language from the government about people coming here from overseas.