Disgraced former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused Rishi Sunak of embarking on a “slippery slope to fascism” in a scathing article which argued the UK wants higher levels of immigration.
Corbyn, who lost the Labour whip after responding to the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s damning report into antisemitism in the party, penned an opinion piece criticising Sunak over his flagship Rwanda plan.
Writing for Tribune, the Islington North MP said: “These are signs of a party actively embracing the growth of far-right populism, no matter the electoral cost.
“These are signs of a country – and indeed a continent – on a slippery slope to fascism.”
Corbyn blasted the PM for “actively embracing the growth of far-right populism”
PA
Corbyn, who also argued the British public are becoming increasingly supportive of immigration, added: “This term should not be used lightly.
“There are many acts that are terrifying enough on their own terms without warranting that label.
“But beware, fascism doesn’t arrive in uniform overnight. It arrives with suited politicians, one piece of legislation – or one emergency address – at a time.
“Earlier this year, Rishi Sunak claimed that democracy was being undermined by ‘extremists’.
MORE CORBYN CLAIMS:
Corbyn claimed the British public are “becoming more and more favourable toward immigration”
PA
“He’s right. It’s being undermined by a government that shows utter disdain for human rights at home and abroad.”
Elsewhere in his opinion piece, Corbyn claimed “the British public are becoming more and more favourable toward immigration, and the vast majority support the rights of those seeking asylum”.
However, the former Leader of the Opposition appeared to miss polls showing the UK public back tougher measures to curb Channel crossings.
A YouGov poll from earlier this year – and before the news broke that 8,500 migrants and counting have crossed the English Channel so far in 2024 – found a majority of Britons wanted to see small boat migrants removed from the country.
The landmark poll found that 57 per cent of Britons surveyed wanted the prospective immigrants removed; of that majority, 73 per cent of respondents said small boats migrants “removed from the country immediately” without the chance to appeal and block their removal through Britain’s legal system.
Though in Islington North – Corbyn’s constituency – figures were somewhat removed from those of the wider population, with just 37 per cent of those surveyed expressing support for illegal migrants to be removed – and 45 per cent believing every one of them should have their claims surveyed on a case by case basis.
Corbyn talked up his work to prevent the deportation of refugees in Islington North in the 1990s – where he claimed “we have achieved huge victories for each other by standing by our principles of redistribution, democracy and peace”.
The disgraced ex-party leader added: “Refugees and migrants should neither be pilloried nor pitied. They should be empowered as the political leaders of tomorrow.”
GB News has approached 10 Downing Street for comment.
Source Agencies
