Your say / immigration
‘Targeting hotels full of children is not the answer to our problems’
I know that times are tough for many people across Bristol. The combination of a constantly increasing cost of living, extortionate housing costs, and public services that don’t support us and our families to work makes me angry, and I know it makes many of you angry too.
As a woman, a politician and a human being, I stand with everyone who cares about the safety of women and girls.
But as protests of mostly men have once again erupted across the country targeting hotels, I have to question whether this really is their intention. Of those arrested in last year’s similar protest, two in five had previously been reported for domestic violence.
To those of you thinking of taking part – is this really what you want to be seen taking part in?
I am proud that Bristol is a city of sanctuary. We are gladly fulfilling our legal requirements to provide support for those fleeing violence, using money from the government specifically for this purpose.
But we know we have to do this fairly, and to recognise the needs and struggles of our British Bristolian communities.
So I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about a few of the many projects we are undertaking for the people of Bristol.
Firstly, we will soon be investing £10m of government funding in Hartcliffe, to support improvements people can see on their doorstep. The local community will be at the heart of deciding how this is done.
We’re also building 224 Youth Zone, located close to the roundabout connecting Hartcliffe Way and Hengrove Way, recognising the increased needs of many of our young people following Covid. We’re investing in keeping them safe, and giving extra support to help them thrive.
As a council, we are striving to make things better for those with a long connection to Bristol, not just those who can afford it.
But while we are working to invest in our communities, I recognise that there is still a feeling that those who were born and bred here are getting less than those moving here either from London, other wealthy cities or other countries.
While some choose to put the blame on vulnerable asylum seekers, I believe that the blame lies with this Labour government and the previous Conservative government, who have chosen to give tax breaks for the super wealthy while continuing to cut funding for services we all rely on.
But while the wealth of the super rich reaches record high, this government is too scared to tax the super rich or even non- doms; people who live and earn their money here but hide their wealth elsewhere.
This is why I believe that targeting hotels full of children under the guise of caring for women and children is not the answer to this country’s problems.
A refugee’s experience in a hotel is not like going on holiday to a hotel. Families of up to six share one room, they must eat set meals at set meal times with no ability to provide for themselves and just £9.95 per person a week for all other needs – including transport.
These refugee hotels are not a solution any of us are happy with. But until this government provides a solution to our broken asylum system, other solutions are hard to find.
In 2020, I fostered a 14-year-old unaccompanied asylum seeker. He was traumatised and vulnerable after his family had been murdered by the Taliban. He could not go out by himself. Every time a lorry went past he jumped out of his skin.
So for this boy, and for hundreds like him, I plead for compassion this weekend, and at all protests targeting hotels across the country in the future. I cannot see how children like this can be your enemy.
I hear your discontent and I respect your right to voice it through protest. I have done plenty of it myself. But ask yourselves: what is the point that you’re trying to make?
Come to our council buildings, go to Westminster, target those who have the power to make meaningful change. But leave vulnerable and traumatised children out of it.
This is an opinion piece by Heather Mack, Green Party councillor for Lockleaze and deputy leader of Bristol City Council
Main photo: Rob Browne
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