Your Voice, Your Vote: Immigration centre could sway local voters
- Published
“Control of immigration is the biggest issue facing the country" according to Richard in Essex, who got in touch as part of the BBC's Your Voice Your Vote.
Immigration is a complex issue with the vast majority of people who come to the UK doing so legally via student or work visas.
But a smaller percentage come via what the government calls "illegal" or "irregular" routes - with the highest number of those arriving via small boat crossings.
Richard believes that "if we could sort [immigration] out we could deal with many other problems like NHS waiting lists and housing shortages".
Wethersfield in Essex has been at the forefront of the debate about illegal migration, after the Home Office decided to use a former RAF base close to the village as an asylum accommodation centre, to remove people from hotels.
The first arrivals came in July 2023, and local residents were told the site would have a maximum capacity of 1,700, although the number was later capped at 800.
Latest Home Office figures, external show there are currently 580 men staying there.
The nationalities of the individuals staying include Afghan, Syrian, Iranian, Iraqi, Eritrean and Sundanese.
Most of them will have made asylum applications and are waiting for them to be processed.
In March the government used a "Special Development Order", to extend its use of the site for a further three years.
Tony Clarke-Holland is the deputy chair of the Three Fields Association, which opposed the use of MDP Wethersfield as an asylum centre
"The lack of consultation was a real concern to local people," said Tony Clarke-Holland, the deputy chair of the Three Fields Association, a local residents' association.
He added that the Home Office has since found out for itself some of the "practical and pragmatic reasons" that residents objected, including the rural location, poor access to roads and contamination of parts of the site.
When the plans were first announced there were heated meetings between locals and Home Office officials, but some members of the community now make weekly trips to the site to provide English classes and other activities.
Tony believes the issue will impact how people in the villages surrounding the base make decisions in the upcoming election.
"There's a lot of conversation about, 'who do we vote for and why?'," he said.
"We're hoping that whoever gets in learns the lessons from what the Conservatives have done here."
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "Illegal migration is unfair, as it undermines those who follow the rules, burdens taxpayers, and endangers lives.
"The Conservatives have a plan to stop the boats and reduce the strain on public services by removing illegal migrants to Rwanda and capping migration.
“Last year, small boat arrivals fell by a third due to our efforts."
Maria Wilby leads Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action which serves north-east Essex
Maria Wilby leads Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action (RAMA), external, a charity that supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants across north-east Essex, including Braintree.
It currently has almost 5,000 clients from 117 different countries, including some that live at Wethersfield.
She believes tackling the backlog of immigration cases must be an urgent priority for an incoming government.
"There's around 130,000 people in the country who are still awaiting an asylum decision; 67,000 arrived in the past year," she said, "and the majority of people are waiting over a year."
Ms Wilby also wants a rule change that would allow people to work while they are waiting for the Home Office to decide whether to give them leave to remain.
"We're missing a massive opportunity," she said. "Some of these people can fill shortage occupation roles; carers, builders, doctors, nurses."
James Cleverly - Conservative
Mr Cleverly said the Conservatives had a "clear plan" to cut migration
The Conservative manifesto has committed to reducing net immigration year-on-year by putting a legal cap on migration. The party said it has a clear plan to tackle small boat crossings by creating a deterrent by moving illegal migrants to Rwanda.
Mr Cleverly, the home secretary and the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Braintree, recently said in a letter to residents that he had "secured agreements to cut the maximum capacity of Wethersfield down from 1,700 to 800 and for enhanced policing cover locally".
He added that he made clear that the site must be "a temporary measure" and that "local voices must be heard".
Kieron Anthony Franks - Liberal Democrats
Kieron Anthony Franks, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Braintree, said: "Liberal Democrats would stop the dangerous Channel crossings by taking power out of the hands of the criminal gangs responsible for them through ramping up enforcement and creating safe and legal routes for refugees.
"We are also committed to scrapping the expensive Rwanda scheme, tackling the [immigration case] backlog, and giving asylum seekers the right to work so they can support themselves."
Mr Heather said historically immigration had served the constituency well
David Heather - Independent
David Heather, an independent parliamentary candidate for Braintree, said "Historically, immigration has served our constituency well, however over the past few years the political classes have lost control.
"As an independent I will support your concerns over excessive immigration in our constituency, and will highlight the issue of the Wethersfield asylum camp.
"I will support a robust approach on both legal and illegal immigration."
Richard Thomson - Reform UK
Mr Thomson said Reform UK would introduce a points-based immigration system
Richard Thomson, the parliamentary candidate for Braintree for Reform UK, said: "Reform UK advocates for a robust, points-based immigration system prioritising skilled workers and strict border control.
"The Conservative Party has failed to manage illegal crossings, leading to record numbers and security concerns."
He added: "Reform UK pledges to restore order, ensuring immigration benefits the economy and respects British laws and values."
Paul Thorogood - Green Party
Mr Thorogood said people coming to live and work in the UK play an invaluable role in our health and care sectors
Paul Thorogood, the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Braintree, said: "The Green Party would scrap the government’s Rwanda scheme and end the hostile environment such as housing people at former airbases like Wethersfield, which looks like a prison camp.
"It would provide safe routes for those fleeing persecution and allow asylum seekers to work while their application are being decided quickly."
He added: "There’s a false narrative that it’s migration, not chronic underinvestment in public services, that is stopping you from getting a GP appointment, the surgery you need, or a school place for your child."
Matthew Wright - Labour
Mr Wright said a Labour government would scrap the costly Rwanda scheme
Matthew Wright, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Braintree, said: "A Labour government will prioritise strong border security and deliver a properly managed and controlled asylum system which returns people who have no right to be here.
"Keir Starmer has prosecuted organised crime gangs before when he was the country’s chief prosecutor – as prime minister he’ll tackle the problem at root, smashing the gangs and ending the huge waste of taxpayers’ money on hotel use."
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