Tories fanning flames of division with shameful scapegoating of people seeking asylum
The Tories are cynically fanning the flames of hate and division with their nasty anti-refugee rhetoric, say the Scottish Greens.
The comments from the Party’s social security spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP, come ahead of a Tory debate scheduled for Wednesday in opposition to the Scottish Government committing to introduce free bus travel for people seeking asylum.
The policy, which was secured by the Scottish Greens, was overwhelmingly backed by MSPs in October, with the SNP having renewed their commitment to introduce it.
Scottish Greens social security spokesperson Maggie Chapman MSP said:
“This is just typical nasty and cynical politics from a toxic Tory Party that would rather pit marginalised groups against each other than work to provide solutions.
“The Scottish Greens brought a vote on this policy only a matter of weeks ago, and MSPs from across the chamber overwhelmingly backed it. It is a small and compassionate step that will make a big difference to the lives of people who have been forced into state-sanctioned poverty by a punishing and cruel system and successive Westminster governments.
“They are using the rights of people seeking asylum as a political football. It is a transparent attempt to fan the flames of hate and division in a bid to win far right votes from Reform.
“The Tories have tried to pretend that this is about supporting pensioners, but if that were remotely true they wouldn’t have spent the last 14 years wrecking our economy and inflicting cuts and austerity on vulnerable people.
“As a country, we have a moral responsibility to support and protect people who seek safety here and help them to rebuild their lives.
“People seeking asylum in Scotland have fled from war, persecution and suffering. The vast majority of them can’t afford basic necessities such as food and toiletries, and the support they get from the UK Home Office is not enough to prevent destitution. Access to bus travel would mitigate some of the devastating impacts of a hostile UK asylum system built on racist policies.
“Scotland has rejected the toxic ideals and culture wars of the Tories time and again. Now it’s time to push forward with genuine progressive policies that protect the people of Scotland from Westminster.”