Remove home secretary Mahmood and rip up her asylum plans, says Alf Dubs
Remove Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Reconsider Asylum Policies, Urges Alf Dubs
Remove home secretary Mahmood and rip up - Alf Dubs, a long-standing Labour peer with a history of advocating for refugees, has called for the removal of Shabana Mahmood from her role as Home Secretary. He argues that her asylum policies, which he describes as embodying “performative cruelty,” should be abandoned by the incoming Andy Burnham-led government. Dubs believes that Mahmood’s expertise would be better utilized elsewhere in the cabinet, allowing Burnham to implement a more humane approach to immigration and asylum. His remarks come as the political landscape shifts following Keir Starmer’s recent resignation, with Burnham poised to assume the role of prime minister by 17 July.
A Holocaust Survivor’s Perspective on Asylum Reform
Dubs, now 93, is a veteran of the Labour Party who survived the Holocaust by fleeing Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia as a child in 1939. His journey to the UK was made possible by the Kindertransport, a rescue operation organized by Sir Nicholas Winton, a London-based stockbroker. This personal history has deeply influenced his views on immigration policy, particularly his concern for the treatment of asylum-seeking children. In a recent interview with the Guardian, he emphasized the need for compassion and fairness in the UK’s asylum system, urging leaders to avoid measures that could leave vulnerable individuals in distress.
“I think her talents would be better used elsewhere in cabinet to allow the new PM free rein to put his own stamp on asylum and immigration policy,” Dubs stated. “At a time when the party needs unity, I do not believe that Shabana Mahmood’s policies represent the right approach.”
While Mahmood has made efforts to soften some of her stringent policies, her proposed reforms continue to face criticism. She has engaged in discussions to exempt care workers from the changes to indefinite leave to remain, a step seen as a compromise. However, her recent decision to suspend family reunion visas has sparked further debate. Dubs highlighted this as a key point of contention, arguing that such measures undermine the core principles of Labour and the UK’s commitment to protecting those in need.
The Starmer Government’s Challenges
Dubs criticized the previous Starmer administration for its handling of asylum policies, calling it an opportunity for Burnham to correct these missteps. He specifically mentioned the proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain, which he claimed would apply retroactively to individuals who arrived in the UK in good faith and followed the rules. According to Dubs, these adjustments are “simply unjust” and threaten to dilute the protections guaranteed by international agreements like the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
“This is Andy Burnham’s opportunity to right some of the mistakes made by the Starmer government regarding asylum seekers and refugees,” Dubs said. “The changes to indefinite leave to remain, for instance, are not only unfair but also risk eroding the trust that refugees place in our system.”
He further argued that the current proposals could lead to the deportation of children even if they have family members willing to care for them. Dubs pointed out that the upcoming asylum and immigration bill, which is set to be unveiled by Mahmood, includes provisions that could result in children being handcuffed before being sent back to their countries of origin. “As these proposals stand, children like me arriving in the UK seeking sanctuary would be left out in the cold,” he said. “They could be detained and deported, even if they have family here ready to care for them. That is not British values and certainly not Labour values.”
A Call for Unity and Compassion
Dubs stressed the importance of maintaining a unified front within the Labour Party, especially as it seeks to redefine its approach to immigration. He noted that Burnham’s campaign in Makerfield had been “positive, community-focused, and unifying,” and warned that failing to capitalize on this momentum would be a political misstep. “To squander that optimism now would be a mistake,” he said. “We must use this moment to reset our policies and restore public confidence.”
“We should be giving a high priority to family reunion to allow asylum-seeking children to join their families here,” Dubs added. “I believe the public would accept this and see it as a fair and compassionate approach.”
Dubs also called for a renewed focus on Europe-wide cooperation in addressing the challenges faced by asylum seekers. He argued that effective human-rights-based policies cannot be achieved in isolation, emphasizing the need for collaboration with other nations. “We must redouble our efforts to establish this partnership,” he said. “It is only through working with our allies that we can create a sustainable and equitable system.”
Political Tensions and the Path Forward
Despite Dubs’ criticisms, some sources close to Mahmood defended her policies, stating they were necessary to restore order and control at the UK’s borders. They argued that the current measures align with Labour values, particularly in their focus on managing migration flows responsibly. However, Dubs pointed out that her leadership has divided opinion within the party, with many members of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) questioning the direction of her asylum reforms.
“We can’t reset by bringing with us policies that many in the PLP do not support,” Dubs said. “This is Labour’s reset moment when we can consign to the past some of the appalling language used by politicians to describe refugees, such as ‘invaders’ or ‘an island of strangers.’”
He also criticized the use of incendiary rhetoric to frame refugees as threats to national stability. “We must control the UK’s borders without cruelty,” Dubs asserted. “This control should come with our commitment to basic rights and compassion for those in the greatest need. Performative cruelty, like seizing refugees’ jewelry at the border or blaming them for tearing our country apart, is not the way forward.”
As Burnham prepares to take over, Dubs is urging him to prioritize policies that reflect Labour’s founding principles. The veteran peer’s personal history as a child refugee underscores his belief that the UK should lead by example in offering sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. His message is clear: the new administration must avoid repeating past errors and instead create a system that is both rigorous and humane. “If we are to be a beacon for those seeking refuge,” he said, “we must ensure that our policies do not leave them stranded in the cold.”
The debate over Mahmood’s leadership and the future of asylum policy is likely to continue as the Labour Party navigates its next phase. With Burnham’s government set to introduce new legislation, the focus will be on balancing border control with the rights of asylum seekers. Dubs’ intervention highlights the importance of historical perspective in shaping modern policy, reminding lawmakers of the legacy they are upholding—or risking—to shape the UK’s approach to immigration in the 21st century.