THE Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, has accused the Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, of “deliberately increasing fear of the stranger in our communities”.
Dr Croft published an open letter on his blog to Mr Farage on Thursday; two days earlier, Mr Farage had made a speech at London Oxford Airport, in which he launched the party’s “Operation Restoring Justice” plan. The airport is adjacent to Campsfield House, a former detention centre. The Home Office recently published plans for redeveloping the site as an Immigration Removal Centre.
If his party won the next election, it would deport 600,000 migrants during the next five years, Mr Farage said. The “only way” to stop small boats crossing the English Channel, he said, was by “detaining and deporting absolutely anyone who comes via that route”.
In his letter, Dr Croft said that he had been sorry not to meet Mr Farage on his recent visit to Oxford. He described Oxford — “one of the kindest and most welcoming cities in the country and one of the greatest cultural crossroads in the world” — as a “strange choice” for Reform UK’s press conference.
“I agree with some of what you said in the press conference,” Dr Croft wrote. “Immigration questions and border security are vital. The flow of migrants across the Channel in small boats is perilous and heartbreaking to watch. There are real challenges to community cohesion if these issues are not addressed.”
But Dr Croft expressed profound disagreements with Mr Farage’s policy.
“I heard no compassion in what you said for those who are at risk from people traffickers; those who fled for their lives; those who long for sanctuary and safety; the vulnerable who would be forcibly deported. The British people, as I understand them, want public policies founded on the deeply British and Christian values of compassion and care for those in need.”
Dr Croft also wrote that Mr Farage had said “nothing at all” about the complexity of the problem.
“Migration is a global issue not a local issue. Migration into Europe affects our neighbours. International co-operation is key to resolving and improving the situation. International development in rebuilding countries of origin is vital. The biggest driver of global migration now and in the future is climate change. International agreements on combatting climate change and mitigation are a vital part of the solution.
“I heard nothing about international collaboration other than attempting to negotiate bilateral agreements to return those who enter the country illegally.”
Mr Farage had published “broad brush intentions with insufficient attention to detail”, Dr Croft wrote. “As you are well aware, there have been numerous attempts to address the question of migration but all have faltered for lack of compassion, attention to complexity, collaboration or attention to granular of law and resources. I cannot see that the proposals you outlined yesterday will be any different. You are raising hopes for some without the means of delivery.”
To achieve his aims, Mr Farage would have to “dismantle key legal frameworks”, Dr Croft said, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, the UN Treaty against torture, and the Refugee Convention.
Dr Croft said that he disagreed most profoundly with what he called Mr Farage’s “attempts to politicise the questions of migration and asylum by deliberately increasing fear of the stranger in our communities”.
He wrote: “Community cohesion and mutual respect are vital assets in any local community. There are many, many forces which seek to separate good neighbours and sow distrust. We have seen an increase in hate crime in recent months, even in this kindest and most international of cities. To see any politician with a public platform seeking to play on these fears and stoke division for political advantage is deeply disturbing.”
He appealed to every political party “to depoliticise this most toxic of issues and seek cross party agreement on solutions wherever possible”.
