MP Expresses Concern Over Home Office Van Campaign

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has opposed a Home Office scheme where a van is being driven round suggesting illegal immigrants “go home or face arrest.”

The van is currently being used in London but Mr Lucas has received a number of letters from constituents concerned about the message they put out and expressing their discomfort with the vans.

Mr Lucas said he shared their concerns about the tone of the campaign – and expressed reservations as to its effectiveness.

He said: “Several constituents have told me they are concerned about this van and I share those concerns. I would certainly not like to see it in Wrexham.

“I have told those constituents who have expressed concerns that I think it plays to the worst ‘anti-foreigner’ instincts and conveys the impression we do not want ‘outsiders’ to come to the UK.

“In Wrexham we have workers and students from abroad, just as Wrexham workers work abroad. There is no problem with that – but this campaign seems to suggest there is.

“I also have reservations about how efficient a campaign asking people who are breaking the law to text a special number specifically to say they are breaking the law is.

“While we should tackle illegal immigration, this van strikes me more as a cynical PR stunt than a true attempt to tackle the issue.”