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Why do Labour not get it?

764 replies

Dacatspjs · 28/10/2025 12:30

It's being reported today that Labour want to stop using hotels and move migrants into barracks. Fine. But when quizzed on it Luke Pollard has suggested this will be more expensive, but the public want the hotels to close at all costs so it will be worth it.

This to me just seems like another step forward for Reform. The public who care about this, care about how much the government is spending on migrant housing. A new policy that costs more isn't going to go anyway towards solving this problem.

I don't know what the solution is, but spending more money getting mothballed barracks up to spec seems ludicrous.

"Asked about whether it would cost more to house migrants at military bases than in hotels, Mr Pollard insisted that 'the public want to see those hotels close'.

But he added: 'We're looking at what's possible and, in some cases, those bases may be a different cost to hotels, but I think we need to reflect the public mood on this asylum hotels need to close.'"

OP posts:
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16
EasternStandard · 28/10/2025 21:01

JHound · 28/10/2025 20:55

I am curious as to suggested approaches for dealing with the issue with zero cost.

Even deciding we will automatically refuse all asylum applications / small boat arrivals has a processing and removal cost.

I don’t think there’s zero cost, just a cost where voters feel happier with the outcome.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/10/2025 20:59

StrongLikeMamma · 28/10/2025 20:52

Like everyone else you mean, who hasn’t actually committed any crime or anything?

Not really, no, because with most people it's usually possible to check they are who they say they are, whether they have any criminal convictions and so on - all of which is much more difficult with those who arrive with practically nothing except a well rehearsed story

JHound · 28/10/2025 20:58

Maybe Labour should restart the Rwanda plan or investigate some other kind of offshore processing. Still a cost but that should make most voters happy / be neutral.

DuncinToffee · 28/10/2025 20:57

EasternStandard · 28/10/2025 20:55

Probably because Starmer talks about illegal entry. The PM ex human rights lawyer.

It's not a new thing on MN, it started long before Labour became government.

Starmer should do better with his rhetoric, on that we agree.

JHound · 28/10/2025 20:56

EasternStandard · 28/10/2025 20:55

Probably because Starmer talks about illegal entry. The PM ex human rights lawyer.

It’s not illegal to seek asylum but they are not doing it via an approved route.

Because there are none for non-Ukranians.

RaraRachael · 28/10/2025 20:56

The Inverness barracks isn't remote. It's right in the middle of town near schools and walking distance to the shops

EasternStandard · 28/10/2025 20:55

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/10/2025 20:53

Why do so, so many people still not understand that simple fact?

Probably because Starmer talks about illegal entry. The PM ex human rights lawyer.

DuncinToffee · 28/10/2025 20:55

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/10/2025 20:53

Why do so, so many people still not understand that simple fact?

Because then their arguments fall flat.

JHound · 28/10/2025 20:55

Julen7 · 28/10/2025 18:50

Yes. I have never been happy funding asylum seekers’ hotel expenses.
Any other questions?

I am curious as to suggested approaches for dealing with the issue with zero cost.

Even deciding we will automatically refuse all asylum applications / small boat arrivals has a processing and removal cost.

StrongLikeMamma · 28/10/2025 20:54

Griff123 · 28/10/2025 20:07

Wildgoat. "i just don’t get how it keeps happening, tories stay in power so long everyone gets fed up, labour get in, they fuck the countries economy, do one term, then the tories come back in, start trying to fix the shit show, Labour don’t get back in for another decade, and history repeats itself. Every single time."

That's not true though, is it? (If you think it is, give examples).

The Tories fucked us royally!
What planet do you people live on?! Some of you are flipping truly bonkers.

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/10/2025 20:53

StrongLikeMamma · 28/10/2025 20:52

It’s not illegal to seek asylum.

Why do so, so many people still not understand that simple fact?

StrongLikeMamma · 28/10/2025 20:52

Iwishicouldflyhigh · 28/10/2025 20:21

They have entered this country illegally so….

It’s not illegal to seek asylum.

StrongLikeMamma · 28/10/2025 20:52

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/10/2025 20:26

You must be joking, Whatifitallgoesright ... the screams of "inhumanity" would be deafening if they weren't free to wander at will, doing whatever they choose

Like everyone else you mean, who hasn’t actually committed any crime or anything?

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/10/2025 20:26

Whatifitallgoesright · 28/10/2025 12:39

I thought the point of army barracks was so they could be securely contained. I assume they will be locked in there and not have minibuses laid on to deposit them at the nearest town to wander round at will all day.

You must be joking, Whatifitallgoesright ... the screams of "inhumanity" would be deafening if they weren't free to wander at will, doing whatever they choose

Iwishicouldflyhigh · 28/10/2025 20:21

PandoraSocks · 28/10/2025 13:09

But apparently they're not going to be confined to barracks. Some human rights shit being trotted out

So you'd want them to be imprisoned, even though they have committed no crime? That rings a bell...

They have entered this country illegally so….

Iwishicouldflyhigh · 28/10/2025 20:18

Ablondiebutagoody · 28/10/2025 13:01

France must have changed since I was last there!

😂😂😂😂

PandoraSocks · 28/10/2025 20:16

notnorman · 28/10/2025 20:10

Surely the crime is coming here illegally in the first place? I like it in the US but if I turned up there in a little boat from France it would be illegal

You could claim asylum.

notnorman · 28/10/2025 20:10

PandoraSocks · 28/10/2025 13:09

But apparently they're not going to be confined to barracks. Some human rights shit being trotted out

So you'd want them to be imprisoned, even though they have committed no crime? That rings a bell...

Surely the crime is coming here illegally in the first place? I like it in the US but if I turned up there in a little boat from France it would be illegal

EasternStandard · 28/10/2025 20:10

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/10/2025 20:07

Agree. One of them is near Inverness, I understand? We’re about 115 miles south and we had our first, very tiny flurry of sleet/snow around 5am today.
Anyone coming from a warm climate will need to be very serious indeed to be willing to spend potentially a year in basic conditions.

No, not a joke about our Scottish weather. A valid point, I think. Remote, probably not very comfortable, not allowed to work until your claim is processed.

I think in time that will weed out any chancers. Personally, fully support legitimate claimants and their families.

No it won’t. A boat on the Channel doesn’t and whatever comes before that.

A barrack somewhere makes no odds.

SandyDunesCoffeeShack · 28/10/2025 20:10

The stupidity on this thread is astonishing

SandyDunesCoffeeShack · 28/10/2025 20:09

DuncinToffee · 28/10/2025 20:02

Is this a serious comment?

God grant you few more years to live and see what happens my dear

MrsSkylerWhite · 28/10/2025 20:07

Whammyammy · 28/10/2025 12:33

I think labour actually "get it" with this. Moving migrants from cushy hotels to basic barracks will be a deterrent. Currently the temptation to cross the channel for free hotels and all that go with them won't be as attractive as old army barracks.
Bravo labour.

Edited

Agree. One of them is near Inverness, I understand? We’re about 115 miles south and we had our first, very tiny flurry of sleet/snow around 5am today.
Anyone coming from a warm climate will need to be very serious indeed to be willing to spend potentially a year in basic conditions.

No, not a joke about our Scottish weather. A valid point, I think. Remote, probably not very comfortable, not allowed to work until your claim is processed.

I think in time that will weed out any chancers. Personally, fully support legitimate claimants and their families.

Griff123 · 28/10/2025 20:07

Wildgoat. "i just don’t get how it keeps happening, tories stay in power so long everyone gets fed up, labour get in, they fuck the countries economy, do one term, then the tories come back in, start trying to fix the shit show, Labour don’t get back in for another decade, and history repeats itself. Every single time."

That's not true though, is it? (If you think it is, give examples).

DuncinToffee · 28/10/2025 20:02

SandyDunesCoffeeShack · 28/10/2025 19:40

That will be perfect. And with a migrant tag and number

Is this a serious comment?

SandyDunesCoffeeShack · 28/10/2025 20:01

AllTheseYears · 28/10/2025 12:59

Hotels that were popular enough to be thriving aren’t generally used.

Also, they don’t get to use any of the facilities which make them nice, such as spas etc.

I do wish people would use their brains and realise they’re being manipulated.

people like you are the only ones manipulated.