Hundreds of organisations and individuals from across the UK have come together to stand against the politics of division and declare the UK an ‘island of solidarity’.
Like many, we were appalled by the language and actions of the Prime Minister, whose warning that the UK could become an “island of strangers” came as he launched an immigration white paper featuring cruel measures to make it harder for people to settle and barring people from bringing their skills to this country to do vital work. We knew it wasn’t just those who focus on refugee and migrant rights who were horrified, not only by this rhetoric, but by the real-world dangers of a rising politics of division.
So we launched a statement of solidarity, a pledge not to be divided, and an affirmation of the inherent right to peace, dignity and hope of all migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. It was quickly signed by over 350 organisations, as well as individuals, from faith leaders to foodbank volunteers and local politicians to language teachers to total more than 1,000 signatures. As first reported in The Mirror, signatories include homelessness charity Shelter, the National Education Union, trans youth charity Mermaids, anti-fascist group HOPE not hate and Disabled People Against Cuts, alongside refugee and migrants rights groups including City of Sanctuary, Right to Remain, Praxis, Refugee Action and NACCOM.
By speaking out together, we aim to make it crystal clear that no one, whether it’s the Prime Minister, or extremists on the right, can single out a specific group for attack and scapegoating without harming all of us. The ‘island of strangers’ comment wasn’t an isolated incident but part of a rising tide of rhetoric across the political spectrum that tries to create false divisions between friends, family, neighbours and colleagues; divisions that don’t exist in the real communities that we work in and are a part of. As organisations, we might focus on different issues, but our communities are not separate and none of us will stand by silently while any part of them comes under attack, or is singled out as a threat to our unity as a country.
And this is not just a statement, but an ongoing commitment to solidarity, to building a movement that defends the rights of anyone who comes under attack by rhetoric that seeks to divide, or who is currently suffering due to years of political failings. If that sounds like something you’d like to be involved in, you can email [email protected] for more information.
The full text of the statement reads:
History offers undeniable evidence of the meaningful and enduring contributions made by migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Yet regardless of these contributions, all have an inherent right to live in peace, dignity, and hope. This right is fundamental, and must not be eroded by political narratives that fuel criminalisation, social division and scapegoating
Together, as representatives of civil society and as individuals and organisations embedded in communities across the country, we stand against the recent rhetoric of the Prime Minister, irresponsible politicians and that of the far-right, that serves only to divide our communities.
Together, we stand in solidarity with all minoritised people including all racialised people and all migrants – our friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours – as they face growing fear and insecurity, fuelled by the hostility, scapegoating and polarisation being whipped up by political leaders.
Together, we commit to working across every region and nation, from small villages to big cities, as people with different lived experiences and expertise, to continue to build a movement of solidarity and resistance that protects and defends the rights of all people who are suffering as a result of racism, poverty, homelessness and years of bad government policy and discriminatory political rhetoric.
The politics of division are placing our communities under attack, including: migrants, refugees, people seeking asylum, racialised people, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people, people living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet and survive, homeless people, those with care & support needs and many more.
Today we say we will not be divided, and we remain united in standing against these injustices and stating clearly through actions and words, that we are and will remain, an island of solidarity, not strangers.
