Tory leader chastised for nation of sanctuary comments
Emily Price
The First Minister of Wales has described the “political temperature” in Wales as “high enough already” amid a Senedd row over the Welsh government’s nation of sanctuary policy.
In the Senedd on Tuesday (September 23), Baroness Eluned Morgan was quizzed on the cash her government had spent on a commitment to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for refugees and asylum seekers.
Immigration policy is not devolved to Wales.
While the UK Government holds these powers, the Welsh Government’s has pledged to focus on integrating those who do arrive.
Heckled
The Nation of Sanctuary policy has proved a contentious issue in recent months with anti-migrant rhetoric forming a key part of Reform UK’s campaign to govern Wales.
During questions to the First Minister, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar called on the FM to “scrap the wasteful policy and put the people of Wales first”.
He said: “Money spent on benefits, housing and healthcare for illegal immigrants is money that we cannot spend on Welsh citizens.
“Yet your Nation of Sanctuary plan – which is supported of course by Plaid Cymru – is funding support and services for illegal immigrants.
“Tens of millions of pounds that could and should be spent on people in Wales and our public services.”
Mr Millar’s comments were met with heckling in the Chamber.
Support
£54,879,744.15 has been spent on the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy since 2019.
At least £45,475,000 of this related to supporting Ukrainian arrivals fleeing Putin’s war.
Baroness Morgan said the Tory leader’s calls were “a dreadful way to carry on”.
Speaking to Darren Millar directly, she said: “This dog whistle politics of trying to compete with Reform won’t get you anywhere Darren and you know it.
“You were in the front line of people telling us we had to hold out our hand and help the people of Ukraine.
“You were the first person there. That’s where the Nation of Sanctuary money is going.
“The vast majority of it was spent on supporting people from Ukraine for years and years.
“You supported that Darren. You cannot change your mind because we’ve got an election coming up and you find Reform breathing down your neck.
“You don’t really believe this stuff Darren, you don’t really believe this stuff.”
Baroness Morgan added: “The important thing for us to understand is that dividing our communities is not going to help any of us.
“The political temperature in this country is high enough already – it doesn’t need you to add fire to the flames.”
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I don’t like the term illegal immigrants. If anyone has crossed the channel illegally, was picked up and their case assessed and they were offered sanctuary in this country, then they are genuine immigrants. To say otherwise is political posturing and inciting hatred of immigrants.
Seriously, you are down marking me when only Ukraine was given a pathway to sanctuary, and no other country in the throes of war were offered that. Why not? What is so deficient about most of the African nations being ripped apart by outside forces to capitalise on their resources without sharing with the indigenous people? What is wrong with Palestinians fleeing genocide?
I started reversing your downticks Amir and I’m pleased to see that others have joined in. Keep going gang!
Ticks recovering well. It must have been a humanoid bot.
Appreciate it. Thank you.
Millar and the tory party purports to support Ukraine in its ongoing attempts to resist invasion by Russia yet Millar wants to end Welsh govt support for Ukrainian refugees in wales – what a hypocrite! Its easy to see the motive behind Millar’s call to end Wales’ Nation of Sanctuary status – it’s a pathetic attempt to compete in the culture wars with Nigel Farage’s Reform.
The Good Samaritan, the one ‘Happy Religion’ card missing from the Rev’s hand…
What a fraud that man is…
A fabulous performance from Eluned exposing the flip flopping fraud for what he is. RT is clearly being lined up for Deform leader and Daz may as well follow him. Say one thing then say the other. Two peas in pod. Millar is a self declared Christian. The trouble is, due to recent events (crosses at a hate rally) we no longer know what that is.
Good point. I am just surprised that no senior Christian priest has actually condemned the use of the cross, a symbol of the sacrifice and redemption, a profession of faith in Christianity, an invocation of blessing, at a hate rally. A rally against illegal immigrants. A rally against Muslims. A rally in the name of Christianity and started with a prayer. A religion centred around the Bible. And the Bible consistently calls for compassion and hospitality towards strangers. Why is there silence from the Christian clergy? Is this in keeping with the teachings of Jesus peace be upon him?
That Darren Millar, such a nice christian bloke,