Yesterday the Prime Minister said that without tougher immigration policies the UK risks turning into “an island of strangers”. We know the opposite to be true. 

Reflecting on the last two weeks, I am sure I am not alone in feeling an enormous sense of sadness and frustration. Once again, divisive politics has won, further spreading division and giving far-right ideas legitimacy.

Prior to the local government elections, some of our groups and supporting organisations were on the receiving end of unfounded and aggressive social media posts by individuals who are now elected officials. Is this the country we want? This legitimised behaviour is what we expect to see in the countries from which people seeking sanctuary have to flee.

One thing is clear: whatever steps are taken to ‘control migration’, it will never go far enough for those who seek to promote hate and divide our communities. When we treat newcomers as strangers to be feared rather than neighbours to be welcomed, we become strangers to our own values of compassion and fairness.

Living in Wales, I share concerns about next year’s Senedd elections and how communities might be manipulated by those promising simple solutions to complex challenges. I worry what this would mean for my community; for my friends in the asylum system; for my neurodivergent son Evan, and indeed for anyone who doesn’t conform to narrow definitions of belonging.

We must together stand firm in our commitment to welcome. This means having courageous conversations with friends and neighbours, actively countering misinformation, and building resilience through community organising. But importantly, this work must be done with understanding and empathy, recognising that many people feel economically insecure and politically alienated.

Our mission has never been more vital. Through solidarity and compassion, we can and will continue to defend our communities and uphold the values of welcome that define the City of Sanctuary movement.