Last night was one of the most moving in a long time.  I was honoured to have been invited to speak at the launch of Sanctuary on Sea, the Brighton and Hove branch of the national City of Sanctuary movement. The launch party, which took place on the eve of Refugee Week, brought together the wide range of people and groups who have been working to ensure that Brighton is a safe, welcoming place for refugees and asylum seekers.   We were privileged to watch a new film, Tasting My Future, telling the amazing stories of hugely courageous women who have fled wars, persecution and danger in their own countries, and found refuge here in our city.  Many congratulations to director Sylvie Collier and producer, Cathy Maxwell, and all who took part - it needs to be widely seen.

 

This year’s Refugee Week takes place in a grim context. Globally, there’s an unprecedented number of people fleeing their homes today – more than at any time since the Second World War according to the Refugee Council. We’ve all witnessed on our televisions the heartbreaking scenes of migrants’ drowning in the Mediterranean. And, at the very same time, those people living in the UK who have come from abroad are all too often scapegoated, as the cause of housing problems, blamed for any increases in crime and accused of taking “our” jobs, overwhelming “our” schools and “our” health services.

 

The Government’s record on refugees has been shocking.  For example, it should have done much more to provide legal routes to the UK for Syrian refugees; despite its promises, it has resettled far fewer refugees, including Syrians on the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, than many other EU countries, let alone countries like Turkey, Jordan, Libya and Iraq.

 

We have a responsibility to show solidarity with Syria’s neighbours, by sharing responsibility for protecting some of the people fleeing Syria.  As one of the world’s largest national economies, it’s a scandal that we are not doing more. 

 

We must also do more to ensure that refugees living here are able to enjoy financial independence by providing them with the financial support to cover essential living costs. It makes no sense to force anyone into poverty. That’s something I’ve repeatedly lobbied Ministers about and will continue to do.

 

It’s also time to allow asylum seekers to work - as a way to contribute something to the society they hope will give them sanctuary and as a way to develop new skills and maintain self-esteem.

 

But last night’s launch filled me with hope – seeing so many people working to help those fleeing persecution, and the wealth of projects reaching out and supporting those who come and are welcomed into our communities.  Among them, the drop-in English classes run by volunteers at the Migrant English project; the food parcels for the destitute from Brighton Voices in Exile; the Refugee Radio Project and plans for Schools for Sanctuary.

 

I’m incredibly proud that the people of Brighton and Hove are taking such positive steps to make our city a haven for those in need: that we recognise that our own lives are enriched by those who come here seeking sanctuary, and that we are committed not just to tolerating diversity, but to embracing and celebrating it too.