Illegal Migration Bill

Lord Roberts of Llandudno Excerpts

2nd reading
Wednesday 10th May 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD)]

The reason that some years ago I supported the Conservative-Liberal coalition was the pledge that the imprisonment and detention of children on immigration purposes would be abolished. Now, the possibility of that is to be reintroduced.

The Government will say that this is what the British people want. Thursday’s local government election, with over 1,000 Tory losses, shows that there is no great clamour for the sort of action proposed, which is aggressive and inhumane. The Home Secretary dreams of planes deporting refugees to Rwanda. I believe this is not a dream shared by the majority of the British people, who are more likely to dream as Martin Luther King did of justice and fairness for all people. Once again, not a single Tory councillor was elected in many of our larger cities—none in Liverpool, Manchester or Newcastle. You may say, “What about the places most affected by the people in small boats?” On the south coast, the Tories were down five councillors in Dover and more than that in Folkestone. The people do not want this.

The Coronation concert showed how much we appreciate the diversity of those from many different backgrounds. This Bill has no place in the law of the United Kingdom. I am certain that every concerned Peer in the House today will join me this evening in opposing this squalid Bill.

Illegal Migration Bill

Lord Roberts of Llandudno Excerpts

Consideration of Commons amendments
Monday 17th July 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Roberts of Llandudno (LD)]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

Front Bench!