Immigration story is turning positive - MP
The Windrush scandal has seen Britain's narrative on immigration 'turning positive', an MP has said.
Eleanor Smith said people were feeling 'shame and guilt' over how Commonwealth migrants have been treated by the Home Office, including the realisation of the damaging impact of demonising immigration.
The Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West also said migrants were no longer 'too frightened' to come forward and share their stories, as she revealed that her office was working with 15 people affected by the scandal.
The Government is under fire after it emerged that thousands of people from the Caribbean who arrived in the UK as children had been threatened with deportation.
Ms Smith said: "I now have people coming forward who were too frightened before.
"They thought they’d end up in a detention centre. They’re feeling less fearful now. I can tell you now, we will be sorting it out."
She said people like her own parents, had come to this country to help build it, but had been feeling they were 'no longer welcome'. "That now is going to change," she added.
"That generation’s contribution is being recognised.
"It has been bringing shame on this country. That where people were asked to come, they are now denied rights and benefits, denied the right to be able to stay, denied a British passport.
"Their children and grandchildren have also been denied a British passport. The Conservatives are feeling this shame. It has been a shameful time for them to realise what they’ve been doing.
"People are seeing how damaging it is start demonising immigration and immigrants, because that attitude leads to human beings falling through the cracks."
Anyone with immigration issues is urged to contact Ms Smith's office on 01902422344.
