It is remarkable the depths to which the government have stooped in the execution of their immigration policies. The so called ‘go home’ vans and text messages from the home office have been getting significant traction in online (and other forms for that matter) outrage, and for good reason.
In the vans and messages we see the reality of what could easily be a parody, satire or just downright dystopian invention. It may have caused spluttering anger from many (including from me) but that has not changed the fact they exist.
It is completely bizarre that these kinds of policies can be justified through posturing for a tougher stance on immigration, but it seems the Tories are completely comfortable with it. The junior partners in this madness, the Lib Dems, don’t seem to have taken this so well. Vince Cable has called the policy “stupid and offensive” and his attitude has been carried across the political spectrum and is even reflected by Nigel Farage, who thinks they speak too directly to a ‘Big Brother’ image of the UK.
With immigration minister Mark Harper saying that the vans could spread out from their current existence as a pilot scheme, it is clear that not only is immigration going to be a major battle ground for the 2015 election, but that the Tories aren’t going to be easily dissuaded from their current plans.
It is embarrassing to live in a country where bigoted policy is paraded around on a portable billboard and where migrants are texted by the home office, telling them to vacate the country. It is incredibly hard to keep a cool head in this argument, but the least I personally can say is that this is a cause for national shame.
Labour is attacking the policies, as they should, and are taking advantage of the exposed flank they are leaving themselves on. Immigration is a big issue for many voters, but this sort of divisive behaviour will only polarise the electorate and will damage their election campaign. Instead of pursuing ridiculous publicity stunts like the Tories, Labour is getting on with campaigning to end the crisis of living standards, something that is seemingly a blind spot for the Tories, but then again, who’s surprised.