Labour deputy leader candidate Lucy Powell emphasized the need for the party to reject the notion that immigration is the root cause of all of Britain’s challenges. Instead, she urged Labour to unite the nation and reclaim the political discourse from those fostering division within the country. Powell stressed the heightened responsibility of the party, especially when in government, to bridge societal divides.
Speaking at the Labour conference in Liverpool during a screening of the Mirror’s YouTube series Island of Strangers, Powell highlighted the importance of standing against division and hatred, values historically championed by the Labour party. She emphasized the party’s role in bringing people together and addressing the country’s issues, refuting the argument that immigration alone is to blame for societal problems.
The Island of Strangers series, hosted on YouTube with new episodes weekly, explores how communities navigate challenging divides. Powell’s sentiments were echoed by Real Britain columnist Ros Wynne-Jones, who emphasized the need to address misplaced anger and focus on real solutions to benefit ordinary people.
Powell underlined the significance of patriotism and unity, stating that merely halting immigration or targeting asylum hotels would not address the core issues faced by the populace. She advocated for a redefinition of patriotism as a sense of national camaraderie and a shared commitment to reclaiming the essence of the country.
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