Olivia Blake MP Responds to Prime Minister's Migration Speech on Times Radio
RAMP Principal Olivia Blake MP was on Times Radio on 13th May to discuss the Prime Minister's recent speech on migration ahead of the release of the immigration White Paper on the 12th of May.
She discussed the Prime Minister's use of the term "island of strangers", stating that the language did not reflect the views of the community she represents and noted that many constituents, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, have gotten in touch with her to express their concern.
Blake described the term "strangers" as problematic due to its historical associations with divisive rhetoric and far-right discourse and emphasised that migrants are an integral part of the community, serving as neighbours, family members, and essential workers.
She told Times Radio: “I was very disappointed to hear him use such language because we know that language has consequences. I worry that this could legitimise the same kind of far-right violence that we saw in the last year. As politicians, we have a responsibility not to pour fuel on a fire by using language that causes division.”
Blake added: “I think the use of strangers was very problematic, this language of strangers has been used by the far right for generations to make divisions within our communities. But it couldn’t be further from the truth. Like I said yesterday, you know, migrants aren’t just my neighbours, they’re my family, they are our community, you know, they’re our teachers, our nurses.”