Hate Has No Place Here
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This is my focus. This week, I met with Luton Council of Faiths to reaffirm this commitment. It is not an aspiration.
I also want to be honest about something that too many politicians have shied away from. Division and hatred in Britain are rising, and we cannot pretend that it happens in a vacuum.
When senior politicians demonise communities, and when far right influencers share material designed to stoke suspicion and fear there are real consequences across our county. Communities in Luton, especially the Muslim community are being adversely impacted by this behaviour.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and all forms of faith-based hatred have no place in Bedfordshire.
Human rights are not a luxury, or a left-wing talking point, they are the foundation on which a safe society is built. The right to live freely, and to be free from discrimination is fundamental to our society. This is why I suspect some politicians and political parties want the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. They want people to be subject to hate. This is so wrong and must be opposed.
Luton is a remarkable town. Its community cohesion is genuine, and it is something to be proud of. However, no matter how hard we try, we are not immune to the poison that is being spread elsewhere – online, nationally, and across the world. Sadly, we live in a troubled world. This means people in Luton are affected by the behaviour of far-right extremists not just in the UK, but across the world.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and all forms of faith-based hatred have no place in Bedfordshire.
Human rights are not a luxury, or a left-wing talking point, they are the foundation on which a safe society is built. The right to live freely, and to be free from discrimination is fundamental to our society. This is why I suspect some politicians and political parties want the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. They want people to be subject to hate. This is so wrong and must be opposed.
Luton is a remarkable town. Its community cohesion is genuine, and it is something to be proud of. However, no matter how hard we try, we are not immune to the poison that is being spread elsewhere – online, nationally, and across the world. Sadly, we live in a troubled world. This means people in Luton are affected by the behaviour of far-right extremists not just in the UK, but across the world.
That is why I strongly welcomed the government’s new community cohesion strategy. We must build strong communities by showing that there is no space for hateful behaviour. Strategies from government must be shaped by the communities they serve. Luton needs a Luton-led approach.
Police protection has been enhanced at places of worship and to provide reassurance for communities. However, we need to do more. We need to educate and address the causes of all hate crime.
I am committed to a zero-tolerance approach to all hate crime wherever or whenever it raises its ugly head and whoever is affected. Bedfordshire Police Service does so to. Most reported hate crimes relate to race or religious hatred. Offenders deserve serious consequences for their behaviour.
This is also why I welcome the government’s commitment to a new definition of Islamophobia. Islamophobia is causing real fear across our communities. People are frightened. We must call it out and we must challenge those responsible every single time.
Luton Council of Faiths is a vital pillar of our community, representing as it does every faith in Luton. Faith communities can reach across the divide, and provide support when tension rises. That work deserves recognition, resources and partnership across every level of government.