Ashfield MP so pleased Britain has Priti Patel as Home Secretary

I think Priti Patel is the best Home Secretary Britain has had for decades and, having seen close-up how she works, I can honestly say that the security of this country is in great hands.
By Lee Anderson
Published 1st Dec 2020, 08:00 BST
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Over the weekend, we had the brilliant news that a new migrant deal had been signed with France to help put an end to the small boat crossings.

This will be backed up with new legislation in the new year which will finally put and end to the ‘pull factor’ for illegal immigrants.

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The ‘pull factor’ is UK asylum laws which, quite frankly, are not fit for purpose.

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Lee Anderson says Priti Patel is one of Britain's best Home Secretaries in years. Photo: London Portrait Photographer-DAVLee Anderson says Priti Patel is one of Britain's best Home Secretaries in years. Photo: London Portrait Photographer-DAV
Lee Anderson says Priti Patel is one of Britain's best Home Secretaries in years. Photo: London Portrait Photographer-DAV

The human traffickers exploit this and continue to send illegal immigrants over with a clear directive in that ‘once you land in the UK then claim asylum’.

It is then almost impossible to send an asylum seeker back, due to the unlimited amount of appeals they can make.

The system is broken as it doesn’t matter that illegal immigrants have left a safe country to get here.

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New laws mean illegal immigrants will now not being able to claim asylum in the UK if they have already passed through a safe country.

Ashfield received some brilliant news last week when £50,000 was allocated towards the exploration and appraisal of the proposed Maid Marian Line.

This is something I have campaigned for since before last year’s election.

If the proposal is agreed, then for the first time since the 1960’s we will see a passenger rail service returned to Selston.

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The line will be an extension of the Robin Hood Line and see trains running via Kirkby to Selston, Langley Mill and on to Nottingham.

I will be working with the local authority to ensure we get a strong bid in place for the next stages.

Huthwaite has lost two members of the village to Covid over the past month which is a solemn reminder to us all that the virus is real, and we should all take it seriously.

My wife and I have just got over the virus and although we both had very mild symptoms it really does bring home the fact that anyone can get infected.

In normal times I would not even had any time away from work, I felt fine but even so I isolated with my wife which is the best way to stop spreading the disease.

Lee Anderson is MP for Ashfield.

Related topics:Priti PatelBritainLee AndersonFrance