The Nationality and Borders Bill is making its way through Parliament (see its progress as of 19 July 2021, above). It must bounce between the Houses of Commons and Lords before it becomes law, to garner consensus or amendments. The number and scale of amendments depend on the amount and scale of opposition. That’s why it’s vital for anyone and everyone who opposes the bill to join together and make our voices heard.
The government consultation
A massive thank you to everyone who responded to the government consultation by the 6 May deadline – whether individually, as a school, or as a third-sector organisation.
The consultation period was far too sudden and far too short (at half the length of the government’s own guidelines for consultations). However, many of our supporters participated, as did we as Ripon City of Sanctuary. We all did the best we could in a poor set of circumstances.
What's happening now
What are we doing?
We’re engaging with other organisations to bring you the best/most effective next steps in the campaign. We have met with our MP, Julian Smith, and put our views to him. We’re meeting regularly with campaigning organisation Asylum Matters and are collaborating with other active CoS groups in our region, including Skipton Town of Sanctuary and Harrogate District of Sanctuary. We’ve joined the new coalition Together With Refugees.
We anticipate that the final draft of the legislation will be voted on in October/November 2021.
What can you do to stand up to the bill and show your support for asylum-seekers in Britain?
1 – Please write to Julian Smith, MP
Use our template letter
Please download our letter to Julian Smith and ideally email or otherwise post it to him.
Email: [email protected]
Post: Julian Smith MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
Even better, write your own letter
We encourage you to write your own letter (you could always use the template as a basis to get you started). MPs take individualised letters more seriously than when they receive hundreds of the same letter.
2 – Please share on social media
If you don’t already, please follow us. There will be multiple posts about this issue. Most importantly, please share posts to your own feed.Perhaps you’d be willing to like and/or comment (which means Facebook/Twitter will show our posts more often).
3 – Talk to everyone you can
Tell your family, your friends, your colleagues and your milkman. Put it on social media. People need to know before it’s too late. It’s surprising how many people really do care but don’t always hear about what’s going on. If they’re concerned, ask them to do something about it.
4 – Join 'Together With Refugees'
Together With Refugees is a new national coalation whose founding members are Asylum Matters, British Red Cross, Freedom from Torture, Rainbow Migration, Refugee Action, Refugee Council and Scottish Refugee Council. Sign up and show your support as an individual.
5 – Sign up to the Asylum Matters newsletter
Sign up to the Asylum Matters newsletter to learn more about campaign efforts. We’re very lucky to have the support in our region of Mary Brandon, who is very knowledgeable about campaigning in general and this bill in particular. Contact her at [email protected]