Sutton Council Urges Home Secretary to Support Community Cohesion

5 November 2025

Sutton Council has resolved to write to the Home Secretary, urging them to provide support and resources to local authorities to help build community cohesion and oppose racism, hate, hostility and anti-migrant sentiment. The council seeks resources to actively combat these issues at the local level.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Barry Lewis and seconded by Councillor Sam Martin at the Council meeting on 3 November 2025, follows concerns about rising extremism and hostility, including Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-migrant sentiment. Councillors expressed worry over statements and policies from some political leaders that have created uncertainty and fear, particularly for those with indefinite leave to remain. The motion notes with concern the way statements and policies associated with some political leaders have created uncertainty and fear, particularly the suggestion that those with indefinite leave to remain in our country and who have lived and worked here for many years may find their status changed, contributing to concerns that they may be threatened with deportation, breaking up long established family units and losing experienced people from their jobs. Motion Respecting Sutton's Diversity

The council noted that Sutton is a diverse and welcoming community that has welcomed people fleeing persecution, including those from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Hong Kong. Councillor Isabel Araujo spoke of her pride in being an immigrant and a British citizen, saying that Sutton is stronger because of its diversity.

Councillor Richard Choi spoke in favour of the motion, highlighting the contributions of the Hong Kong community in Sutton. He noted their desire to contribute and build a permanent home in the borough. Councillor Choi urged the council to ensure its commitment to British nationals overseas is clear and dependable.

Councillor Christopher Woolmer shared his personal experience, noting his wife's indefinite leave to remain visa and expressing concern over policies that would put this status in question. He said, We have to stand firm and defend what is fair and right, and not renege on the promises given to people in the past.

Councillor Qasim Esak spoke of his family's history and service to Britain, stating that Britishness is about values, not bloodline or skin tone. He condemned local extremists who promote hatred and division.

Councillor Luke Taylor highlighted the contributions of various communities in Sutton and criticised comments from a Home Office Minister that suggested revoking indefinite leave to remain. Councillor Sam Martin spoke of the need to counter narratives about immigration and the importance of migrants in the NHS and care system.

Councillor Ruth Dombey shared her family's history of fleeing persecution and emphasized the importance of protecting freedoms and values in the face of hate and discrimination. Councillor Lisa Webster spoke of the importance of supporting integration programmes and condemning prejudice.

Councillor Lewis closed the debate by thanking everyone for their passionate speeches and reassuring residents that Sutton remains a compassionate and inclusive society.

Councils Involved

Sutton

Meetings Involved

the Council of Sutton Council on 3 November 2025

People Involved

Eric Allen Local Conservatives • Cheam

Councillor Martina Allen Chair: Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee • Local Conservatives • Worcester Park South

Councillor Steve Alvarez Local Conservatives • St Helier West

Councillor Isabel Araujo Vice Chair: Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee; Vice Chair: Carshalton and Clockhouse Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • Carshalton Central

Helen Bailey

Councillor Rob Beck Vice Chair: People Committee • Liberal Democrat • Stonecot

Councillor Moira Butt Local Conservatives • Carshalton South and Clockhouse

Councillor Richard Choi Liberal Democrat • Sutton Central

Imran Choudhury

Councillor Wendy Clark Local Conservatives • St Helier West

Councillor Richard Clifton Vice Chair: Planning Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton South

Councillor Paul Cole Vice Chair: People Committee • Liberal Democrat • St Helier East

Councillor Tim Crowley Local Conservatives • Carshalton South and Clockhouse

Councillor Sam Cumber Chair: Sutton Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton North

Councillor Bobby Dean Liberal Democrat • The Wrythe

Councillor Ruth Dombey Vice Chair: Sutton Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton North

Councillor Tom Drummond Leader of the Opposition • Local Conservatives • Worcester Park North

Councillor Mike Dwyer Local Conservatives • North Cheam

Councillor Qasim Esak Vice Chair: Scrutiny Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton West and East Cheam

Councillor Trish Fivey Chair: Licensing Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton South

Councillor Tim Foster Leader of the Sutton Independent Residents Group • Sutton Independent Residents • Beddington

Councillor Neil Garratt Local Conservatives • Belmont

Councillor Peter Geiringer Local Conservatives • Worcester Park South

Councillor Sunita Gordon Lead Member for Resources • Liberal Democrat • Wallington North

Councillor Catherine Gray Local Conservatives • St Helier West

Councillor Jillian Green Sutton Independent Residents • Beddington

Councillor David Hicks Local Conservatives • Belmont

Councillor Marian James Chair: People Committee • Liberal Democrat • Wallington North

Councillor Andrew Jenner Chair: Carshalton and Clockhouse Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • Carshalton Central

Councillor Edward Joyce Chair: Scrutiny Committee, Vice Chair: Beddington and Wallington Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • South Beddington and Roundshaw

Councillor Barry Lewis Leader of the Council • Liberal Democrat • Wallington North

Councillor Bryony Lindsay-Charlton Local Conservatives • Sutton North

Councillor Patrick Magnus Local Conservatives • South Beddington and Roundshaw

Councillor Sam Martin Deputy Leader of the Council • Liberal Democrat • Wallington South

Councillor Nick Mattey Sutton Independent Residents • Beddington

Councillor Jayne McCoy Chair: Planning Committee • Liberal Democrat • Wallington South

Councillor James McDermott-Hill Deputy Leader of the Opposition • Local Conservatives • North Cheam

Councillor Cryss Mennaceur Chair: Pension Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton Central

Councillor Gemma Munday Liberal Democrat • St Helier East

Param Nandha Vice Chair: North Cheam, Stonecot and Worcester Park Local Committee • Local Conservatives • North Cheam

Councillor Patrick Ogbonna Chair: Hackbridge, St Helier and the Wrythe Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • The Wrythe

Spencer Palmer

Councillor Ed Parsley Vice Chair: Housing, Economy and Business Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton Central

Councillor Jane Pascoe Vice Chair: Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee • Local Conservatives • Belmont

Councillor Jonathan Pearce Local Conservatives • South Beddington and Roundshaw

Councillor Louise Phelan Mayor • Liberal Democrat • Sutton South

Councillor Joe Quick Local Conservatives • Worcester Park North

Councillor Muhammad Sadiq Chair: Beddington and Wallington Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • Wallington South

Councillor Cumar Sahathevan Deputy Mayor, Vice Chair: Licensing Committee • Liberal Democrat • Stonecot

Councillor Tony Shields Chair: Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee • Local Conservatives • Cheam

Councillor Jake Short Chair: Housing, Economy and Business Committee • Liberal Democrat • Carshalton Central

Richard Simpson

Councillor Colin Stears Chair, Audit and Governance Committee; Vice Chair, Hackbridge, St Helier and the Wrythe Local Committee • Liberal Democrat • The Wrythe

Councillor Luke Taylor Liberal Democrat • Sutton West and East Cheam

Councillor Dave Tchil Leader of the Labour Group • Labour • Hackbridge

Councillor Vanessa Udall Local Conservatives • Cheam

Councillor Sheldon Vestey Labour • Hackbridge

Councillor Lisa Webster Liberal Democrat • Carshalton South and Clockhouse

Councillor Christopher Woolmer Chair: Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee • Liberal Democrat • Sutton West and East Cheam

Topics

Sutton Council Home Secretary community cohesion racism hate hostility anti-migrant sentiment Councillor Barry Lewis Councillor Sam Martin rising extremism Islamophobia antisemitism Councillor Isabel Araujo Councillor Richard Choi Councillor Christopher Woolmer Councillor Qasim Esak Councillor Luke Taylor Councillor Ruth Dombey Lisa Webster indefinite leave to remain