REFORM’S controversial motion to withdraw Bradford from the Local Authority of Sanctuary status was defeated by one vote following a heated debate on Wednesday evening.
The vote at the latest Full Council meeting ending up being one of the biggest defeats for the party since it came to power in May.
Reform had argued that the status tethered the Council to what they called a “political movement” – even though they acknowledged pulling out of the scheme would not have any impact on how many refugees and asylum seekers the city took on.
But opposition councillors pointed out Bradford had a proud history of supporting refugees, and one claimed the motion had been “copied and pasted” from the national Reform Party.
The City of Sanctuary currently held by Bradford “helps raise the profile of the city as being a safe and tolerant city where migrant communities can flourish.”
It involves the council guiding refugees and people seeking sanctuary to services including English classes, and hosting events for refugees.
It costs the authority £700 every three years.
The motion was proposed by Councillor Ian Walker, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Communities.
He told the meeting that the idea that Bradford adopted the City of Sanctuary ideal that it should be a welcoming place for all “sends a shiver down my spine.”
Introducing the motion, he said withdrawing from City of Sanctuary would not mean the Council no longer provides services like public health or safeguarding to refugees, adding: “We would still provide all those services regardless. All those services will continue to operate.
“So why have I brought this motion to Council?
“In May we were democratically elected to serve the people of our wards. City of Sanctuary has a political agenda. That is why we are having this debate today.
“The people of Wyke deserve to have their say, through me, as to whether they want to be affiliated with a political movement.
Councillor Ian Walker (Image: LDRS)
“City of Sanctuary is a political statement. To say we should be a place that is welcome to all sends a shiver down my spine.
“Putting Bradford people first is something we should all promote.”
He said uncontrolled migration was a huge problem for the country adding: “Not a day goes by without mass migration being reported in the legacy media or social media. Only a change in Government will address these issues.”
The Conservatives had proposed an amendment to the motion – that a report on the issue be drawn up and scrutinised by a Council committee before any vote be taken.
Councillor David Ford (Cons, Baildon) said: “This should be further scrutinised before we throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Council Leader Stephen Place said: “This is not a motion against compassion, humanity and helping people. Bradford has a proud history of welcoming people from all over the world. That won’t change just because we reconsider this label. We can continue being a welcoming city without being signed up to this programme.
“But our priorities should be the people of Bradford. Council policies should be determined by elected councillors. We shouldn’t confuse being welcoming to being bound by an accreditation. We can be welcoming without signing up to a political programme.”
Councillor Imran Khan, leader of the Labour group, said: “This motion from Reform is nothing more than divisive. It won’t make any practical difference. It will make no difference to this Council’s finances or the services it provides.
“What it will do is send a message about who we are. Are we still the Bradford that opened its doors to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany? Welcomed people from Spain fleeing fascism? Welcomed people from Afghanistan who were threatened by the Taliban?
“People who have come here have become our friends, our colleagues, and in some cases our families. They have become part of Bradford and the city has become better for it.”
Councillor Anna Watson (Green, Shipley) said: “What will we get from this motion? It will be a message to every refugee that they are not wanted here. That is not a message this Council wants to send.”
Councillor Joe Wheatley (Independent, Bingley East) questioned individual Reform councillors for supporting the motion, saying Councillor Sally Birch (Windhill and Wrose) had welcomed Ukrainian refugees to her home in 2022, and pointing out that Councillor Tony Wooffitt (Royds) is listed as a church warden in his declaration of interests. Addressing Cllr Wooffitt he said: “In what part of the Bible does it say people fleeing conflict should be turned away?
“In Matthew 25:35 it says: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Councillor Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said: “Cllr Walker said this isn’t about money, it is about sending a message. I agree. I can see what that message is, and who it is being sent to, and I want no part of it.”
Councillor Vaz Shabir (Your Bradford Independent, Keighley Central) said: “This is not about money, it is not about services, it is about sending a message that if you’re an outsider you’re not welcome in Bradford.
“This is a copy and past motion from Reform. They are not engaging in any meaningful debate, they are appealing to a certain section of voter.
“Don’t fall for it, don’t let Bradford become a photocopy on a Reform Party press release.”
When it came to the vote, the Conservative amendment was defeated.
Councillors then voted for the Reform motion. All Reform members voted in favour of the motion. There was a mixed vote from Conservatives, with some supporting the Reform Motion, some abstaining from voting and one, Councillor Peter Cochrane (Wharfedale) voting against it.
All the other parties voted against the motion.
In the end there were 37 votes to support the Reform motion and 38 against it.
When the result was read out there were jubilant scenes from those who voted against the motion.