Let's turn around and start again

摘要

'Ill-conceived', 'nasty' and 'divisive'. This is my take on the Government's latest hare-brained scheme to divert attention from their failings on deporting illegal immigrants. But don't take my word for it. These are the words from a strange and eclectic combination of a Labour council leader, the leader of UKIP and a former minister in the coalition government. As I am sure you have read, the Government has launched a pilot scheme to 'encourage illegal immigrants to leave the UK voluntarily' in six of the most diverse London boroughs. The scheme, they said, would use poster vans to target illegal immigrants and encourage them to contact the Home Office so that they could arrange deportation back to their home country. The Government's aim sounds reasonable enough. After all, most people think that those who are abusing the system should face deportation, just as they think we should help those who seek refuge status or asylum from torture.