Brighton & Hove UNISON unanimously passes motion condemning Government Migrant Attack Ads
Text of the motion:
Brighton & Hove UNISON Motion:
The Labour Government’s dangerous and misinformed rhetoric and communications on migrants and asylum seekers must stop
A black migrant member of our branch has told us that the recent government ads boasting about how many migrants they have deported made them feel less safe both at work and in their personal lives. Brighton and Hove UNISON is appalled by these ads, and believes, as does our member, that the ‘othering’ and dangerous imagery and rhetoric they include contribute to an unsafe environment for migrant workers and, shamefully, increase the risks of hate crime.
The ads use Reform style imagery and rhetoric and are dehumanising. These ads are also in direct conflict with UNISON’s important work raising awareness of the exploitation of sponsored migrant workers. Our branch has also supported several Migrant and sponsored workers (most of whom are black women) who have been exploited or bullied at work. We are clear that these ads and accompanying social media posts will expose them to more racist victimisation and harassment.
This comes on the back of other worrying rhetoric from key government figures, including Wes Streetings’ comments on the NHS hiring too many migrant doctors and his intention to declare war on ‘wokery’ and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ praise of Donald Trump’s economic ‘boosterism’. As the US slides into an authoritarian regime, including the mass sackings of public service workers, the banning of work around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the dismantling of key institutions and regulatory bodies, the Labour government’s flirtation with far-right language and misinformation is both shameful and dangerous.
Over the years Brighton and Hove City Council has put in a huge amount of work to align itself with the values of being an inclusive workplace and invests in and supports diverse talent, including migrant workers. As we also live in a proud ‘City of Sanctuary’ that welcomes migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, it is deeply disappointing that this work should be so undermined by this government policy of vilifying and stigmatising migrant workers.
We are heartened to see that 900 key Labour figures and Trade Unionists (including UNISON’S General Secretary) have signed a letter decrying these migrant attack ads and other communications as ‘performative cruelty’, however we must do more. This motion calls for:
Brighton and Hove UNISON to turn this motion into an open letter and invite all of our members to countersign it. This letter to then be shared with both the government, and local constituency Labour groups and the council administration.
For Brighton and Hove UNISON and fellow promoters of this motion to write to all local Labour MPs and Councillors to demand that they speak out over this clear breach of Labour values and let constituents and residents know where they stand.
For Brighton and Hove UNISON to call on Labour MPs and councillors in the city to ensure that all of their policy and communications on migration and asylum is based on facts, challenges misinformation and aligns with international law on refugee and migrant human rights and basic humanitarian values.
Passed unanimously at Brighton and Hove UNISON Branch Committee, 26/02/35
Also passed by:
· Brighton & Hove Trades District Council, 12/03/25
Want to support this motion?:
Organisations: if you would like to support this motion and vote it in at an appropriate meeting please let us know
Individuals: If you would like to add your name to the open letter created from this motion please email contact@brightonandhoveunison.org.uk