Reform UK Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf delivered a blistering challenge to Alastair Campbell on BBC’s Question Time last night, warning that restoring EU freedom of movement would betray voters and open a new migration route into Britain.
Yusuf took on Tony Blair’s former spin doctor during a debate in Warwick over Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s openness to bringing back free movement.
Yusuf brought the argument back to the democratic mandate that Westminster has repeatedly failed to honour.
“So why did 17-odd million people vote for Brexit? The primary reason is that they wanted to take back control of our borders.”
He acknowledged former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s responsibility for the subsequent immigration surge, before warning that returning to free movement would carry consequences beyond those debated during the referendum.
Yusuf took on Tony Blair’s former spin doctor during a debate in Warwick over Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s openness to bringing back free movement.
Yusuf brought the argument back to the democratic mandate that Westminster has repeatedly failed to honour.
“So why did 17-odd million people vote for Brexit? The primary reason is that they wanted to take back control of our borders.”
He acknowledged former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s responsibility for the subsequent immigration surge, before warning that returning to free movement would carry consequences beyond those debated during the referendum.
Yusuf said 750,000 people from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Eritrea had acquired EU passports since free movement ended. Restoring those rights would give them a legal route to settle in Britain.
“For the amount of money that they’re paying people smugglers, they won’t need to come on boats anymore. They’ll be able to come first class on the Eurostar.”
“What do you think is going to happen when they get the ability to not just come here, but move here?”
Although “not necessarily all” of those immigrants would come to the UK, Yusuf pointed to the lengths people already go to reach Britain.
“People are risking their lives and paying thousands and thousands of euros to people smugglers to come to Britain. Why? Because of our insanely generous welfare system that now even extends to police escorts under Andy Burnham.”
The confrontation also saw Yusuf challenge Campbell’s authority to lecture others about political honesty, accusing him of deceiving the public over Iraq and branding him a “war criminal”.
He told Campbell: “If there were any justice in this country, frankly, you and your old boss Tony would be on trial.”
But Yusuf’s central warning concerned Britain’s future: voters who demanded control of immigration must not have that decision overturned.
“Reform will never allow Andy Burnham to betray the British people again.”
“For the amount of money that they’re paying people smugglers, they won’t need to come on boats anymore. They’ll be able to come first class on the Eurostar.”
“What do you think is going to happen when they get the ability to not just come here, but move here?”
Although “not necessarily all” of those immigrants would come to the UK, Yusuf pointed to the lengths people already go to reach Britain.
“People are risking their lives and paying thousands and thousands of euros to people smugglers to come to Britain. Why? Because of our insanely generous welfare system that now even extends to police escorts under Andy Burnham.”
The confrontation also saw Yusuf challenge Campbell’s authority to lecture others about political honesty, accusing him of deceiving the public over Iraq and branding him a “war criminal”.
He told Campbell: “If there were any justice in this country, frankly, you and your old boss Tony would be on trial.”
But Yusuf’s central warning concerned Britain’s future: voters who demanded control of immigration must not have that decision overturned.
“Reform will never allow Andy Burnham to betray the British people again.”
