Conference vote on Labour plan to return asylum seekers sparks left-wing anger

Delegates at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool will today debate motions on a range of issues, including a vote on border security that has drawn criticism from the left.

The motion, entitled “Border Security Command”, will be debated in the afternoon session, following Keir Starmer’s speech to the chamber.

The motion includes provisions to hire new caseworkers to help clear the backlog of asylum applications, calls for the creation of Labour’s proposed ‘border security command’ and calls for negotiations on supplementary repatriation agreements.

The campaign groups Labour Campaign for Free Movement (LCFM), Campaign for Labour Party Democracy and Momentum are urging delegates not to support the plan.

READ MORE: Tuesday at Labour Conference 2024: LabourList events not to miss today

A spokesman for LCFM called the motion “appalling” and “inhumane”, saying: “By pandering to their political agenda, the Labour leadership is only giving the likes of Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson more ground. Tougher measures have failed, leading to more deaths.

“The only real solution is safe routes and refuges for refugees, and a serious agenda to provide decent wages, housing and public services for all.”

A Momentum spokesperson described the motion as a “complete acceptance of the worst aspects of the Tories’ authoritarian border policy”.

READ MORE: Today at Labour conference: Five key events in Liverpool on Tuesday

But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said last week: “Criminal gangs are getting away with undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. Border Security Command will carry out a major overhaul and upgrade of law enforcement efforts against smugglers and people trafficking gangs to improve our border security.

“State-of-the-art technology and enhanced intelligence capabilities ensure that we use every tool at our disposal to dismantle this despicable trade.”

Luke Akehurst, a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and secretary of the self-proclaimed moderate group Labour First, defended the motion, saying: “We could not have won the general election without a very clear commitment on the Border Security Command.

“It is an important signal to the public that the conference will adopt this motion and that we understand their concerns about illegal migration and are taking serious action to stop it.”

Other motions up for debate include Grenfell, local government and retail. You can find a full timetable of motions in this morning’s Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) report here.

Follow all the news and discussions at the 2024 party congress via Work list here, the leading platform for Labour supporters on all things Labour.

READ MORE: Starmer will say Labour must rebuild Britain but cannot do so “with easy answers”

READ MORE: Workers’ Conference 2024: Unite accuses Labour of delaying winter fuel vote until ‘lights out’ on Wednesday

READ MORE: Conference 2024: Rachel Reeves promises ‘a Budget to rebuild Britain’ and condemns Tory waste

READ MORE: English nurses vote against pay rise

SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should investigate or publish about this story – or any other Labour-related topic – please contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at (email protected).

SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here and receive the best briefing on all things Labour every weekday morning.

DONATE: If you appreciate our work, please donate and become one of our supporters. This will help us continue and expand our coverage.

PARTNER: If you or your organization is interested in partnering with us for sponsored events or content, please email (email protected).

Do you appreciate our free and unique service?

LabourList has more readers than ever before – but we need your support. Our dedicated coverage of Labour’s policies and personalities, internal debates, selections and elections relies on donations from our readers.

Support LabourList