Labour MPs call on Keir Starmer to U-turn on ‘performative cruelty’ citizenship rules

More than twelve members of the Labour Party in the UK have signed a motion asking the government to reverse a new rule. This rule stops people who come to Britain in small boats from ever becoming UK citizens. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is facing opposition from some of his own party members over this issue.

The rule, which was quietly introduced last week, has been criticized as “cruel and unnecessary” by a Labour MP who is very upset about it. The MPs who signed the motion believe that this rule unfairly punishes people who have escaped from war and persecution in their home countries.

According to new guidelines from the Home Office, anyone who arrives in the UK by “dangerous” methods, like in a small boat or hidden in a truck, will not be allowed to apply for UK citizenship. This has caused a lot of concern among human rights groups. They say this will treat thousands of people as “second-class citizens” and make their lives even harder.

This new rule does not change whether people who arrived by small boat can stay in the UK. However, it affects those who have already been given permission to stay permanently. Nadia Whittome, a Labour MP who proposed the motion, said that this rule is similar to the harsh policies of the previous Conservative government. She believes that most Labour MPs do not support this policy because it goes against what the Labour Party stands for. She thinks the policy is an attempt to win over voters from another political party, but she doubts it will work.

Nadia Whittome also said that this rule will make refugees feel like they are not fully part of the UK, no matter how much they contribute to society. She pointed out that many refugees have no choice but to take dangerous routes to reach safety because there are no safe alternatives available to them.

So far, 13 other Labour MPs have supported her motion. They argue that this policy unfairly punishes people who have already been recognized as fleeing war, persecution, and danger. Some of the MPs who have signed the motion include Diane Abbott, Olivia Blake, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Ian Byrne, Andy McDonald, Kim Johnson, and Clive Lewis.

The Home Office has said that the new rule is meant to target people who come to the UK illegally. Last year, 78 people died trying to reach the UK in small boats, and the government is trying to prevent more tragedies like this from happening. However, critics say this rule is not the right way to address the issue.

Enver Solomon, the head of the Refugee Council, said last week that this rule goes against common sense. He believes that the British public wants refugees to be able to integrate into their new communities and contribute to society. He thinks the government should not create more barriers for them.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said that there are already rules in place to stop people who arrive illegally from becoming citizens. This new guidance is meant to make it even clearer that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including those who come in small boats, will have their citizenship application rejected.