Brighton MP describes 'Stop the Boats' bill as 'Orwellian'

The MP for Brighton Pavilion slammed the planned legislation, unveiled by the government yesterday, which would remove refugees entering Britain on small boats and block them from returning or seeking citizenship.

In a press conference, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the law would make it “clear that if you come here illegally, you can’t claim asylum”.

• READ MORE: What we know about Braverman’s new ‘stop the boats’ Bill

He said: “People must know that if they come here illegally, it will result in their detention and swift removal.

“We will detain those who come here illegally and then remove them in weeks, either to their own country if it is safe to do so or to a safe third country like Rwanda.”

Ms Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, described the policy as “morally repugnant” and “positively Orwellian”.

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Addressing the Home Secretary Suella Braverman in the House of Commons yesterday, she asked: “Instead of this shameful, divisive dog-whistle legislation, will she urgently open and make work safe and legal routes as the only way to stop the small boats?”

Ms Braverman accused Ms Lucas of “faux outrage”.

The United Nations’ refugee agency has condemned the policy and said the Illegal Migration Bill amounted to an “asylum ban”, which would prevent people fleeing war and persecution from seeking refuge in the UK.

“We urge the government and all MPs and peers to reconsider the bill and instead pursue more humane and practical policy solutions,” the agency said.

The Home Secretary told MPs that it would “betray” voters to not tackle the “waves of illegal immigrants breaching our border”.

She said: “They will not stop coming here until the world knows that if you enter Britain illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed.”

Economic secretary and MP for Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith praised the proposed legislation and said: “This bill is a crucial step in the government’s commitment to stop the boats”.

Worthing MP Tim Loughton also backed the measure and welcomed that “safe and legal routes for genuine asylum seekers are a key part of the plan”.