When Suella Braverman referred to the refugee crisis as an invasion I knew there was no way I could work with her, nor could I keep quiet about this dark path the Government seeks to continue.
I had been an adviser to her Home Office, but no longer.
Words are powerful. I have been raised to remember that before you spit out words from your mouth, think first. What you say can never be taken back and forgotten.
Being mindful of what you say as a politician is critical to our democracy. Over the last few years I have given certain people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to stupid jokes. But sadly now we must admit that the desire to garner headlines with outlandish claims and policies untethered from reality is corroding our political system and impacting the lives of millions.
When I came to the UK as a refugee — having lost my statehood in a brutal civil war that saw my family torn apart — I was welcomed with open arms. My grandma and aunty were able to join us a few years later. I had lost so much in the war, but thanks to the UK and an immigration system that saw humans and not just numbers I was able to rebuild my life. I understand that a country needs a robust immigration system, but that does not mean they have to lose sight of kindness in order to secure their borders.
This thoughtful and kind system that I encountered was overseen by Margaret Thatcher’s government. Yes, when I came to this country the Conservatives were in power and even if history seem to deem the Tories of the Eighties as Right-wing the truth is they and John Major’s government welcomed countless people like me and my family. Here we found safety.
Things have changed in the last few years. That’s down to Brexit and the malign influence of that chain-smoking hate-monger Nigel Farage.
The rubbish that Farage spouts — saying “a massive change is taking place in this country through immigration”, which he keeps screaming, is not true. Frightened people, who have not seen how the world has changed, are being manipulated into believing the reason they are poorer is because of immigrants, not because of Brexit or foolish economic policies.
Britain is not broken, but the Tories will be if they carry on trying to outdo Right-wing loons and ignore many of those in the centre. Progress made on issues such as VAWG and women’s health are at risk.
The Red Wall seats might change hands at the next general election, but an attempt to keep them by shifting to the Right would mean the Tories would lose a lot of voters like me.
It’s the floating and middle-of-the-road voters that the Conservatives must focus on. For as long as they keep this wild “benefits of Brexit” narrative going they will have lost me.
Rishi Sunak was supposed to be the breath of fresh air we needed after the nightmare of the last few years. He should start acting like it.
Snow is no fun in heels
It has been snowing, as we all know, but for those of us who have to get work done there is nothing stunning about London in the snow.
Looking out of the window on Sunday night as my niece got excited about the snow I turned into the grinch. I knew I had a lunch the next day and it was going to be absolute hell getting there. Because I was going to wear heels, snow or no snow, so I knew I was at risk of breaking my neck.
I don’t want to sound to much like a grumpy old woman — which I might well be, I concede — but the UK does not have the infrastructure for snow. We can’t cope with heat either — just remember those roasting 40 degree days of summer — but I can deal with not having air-con compared to risking my life on the pavements of London in the snow. It’s time to get gritting.
