Kay Phillips

There’s something particularly nasty about a desperate political party turning on the weakest in society. But Alan Johnson, Labour’s Home Secretary chose to do exactly that on  Radio 4’s Today programme this morning. Attacking the Liberal Democrats Johnson declared, “They would allow asylum seekers to work, which is utter, utter madness.”

Of course, what is 'utter madness' is not allowing people who have fled persecution to work, pay taxes and become a productive part of society. Instead we make them live on pitiful state benefits at the expense of the taxpayer or lock them away in detention centres like criminals. The ban on asylum seekers working has nothing to do with a sensible asylum policy but has everything to do with trying to appear tough on immigration – while ignoring genuine concerns over issues such as the shortage of affordable housing.

I'm proud to have signed the Liberty's Asylum pledge. I wish a few more Labour candidates had as well.
Kay Phillips