In spite of the best efforts of the government, including appointing a home secretary who claims him and his own family could been facing the threat of deportation (1), the Windrush scandal does not appear to be dying down.

 

Reports have emerged that while Theresa May was offering hand-wringing apologies (2), the government was “threatening UK residents with deportation on charter flight to Jamaica, despite Windrush assurances” on private charter flight PVT070. (3)

 

In response, Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and Shadow Home Secretary tweeted:

 

“So much for all the assurances and the apologies from the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary! How are the #Windrush generation expected to trust this Government when we keep hearing stories like this?” (https://twitter.com/HackneyAbbott/status/990185662447083521)

 

Diane Abbot is one the more consistent MPs in this issue, having voted against the 2014 Immigration Act, being one of 6 party colleagues (including current leader Jeremy Corbyn)to do so. The Act was a piece of legislation that increased the powers of Immigration Enforcement Officers and obligated the carrying out of invasive checks and searches of anyone deemed to be a foreigner. The bill removed a key protection from the statute books for some British residents of the Windrush generation who could face deportation. (4)

 

In spite of government denials that none of the Windrush Generation have been deported, a recent Home Office Freedom Of Information response (that took 16 months to action) revealed that 7,600 have been deported to Commonwealth nations, including Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Jamaica, on ‘charter flights’ since 2010 (5), demonstrating that that the “hostile environment” agenda was very in evidence well before the 2014 Act and even before it was clearly articulated in 2012 (6) but may not include cases like Gretel Grocan who was refused re-entry returning to the UK from a funeral in Jamaica nine years ago. In the wake of the current scandal and media coverage, she has just been granted indefinite leave to remain. (7)

 

The then party leader Ed Milliband ordered Labour MPs to abstain on the 2014 vote, meaning that current vocal critics like David Lammy and Chuka Umunna failed to oppose the bill, while new home secretary Javid, and Afrikan Conservative Party colleagues including Kwasi Kwarteng, Helen Grant, Sam Gyimah and Adam Afriyie voted for it. (8)

 

The community response has typically included marches and rallies, most recently on May 5th, organised by Stand Up To Racism under the theme Scrap May’s Racist Act, asserted:

 

“Now is our moment. We can overturn this government’s racist immigration policy.

Join us on the March for Windrush – Scrap May’s racist 2014 Immigration Act to demand:

• The 2014 Immigration act is repealed.

• An immediate end to deportations and detention of Commonwealth Citizens.

• All those deported be brought back to Britain immediately.

• Guarantee protection of all Commonwealth Citizens.

• All those affected in any way be given compensation for deportation, threats of deportation, detention, loss of housing, jobs, benefits and denial of NHS treatment.

• No hostile environment for any immigrants.

The government has said matters relating to the Windrush scandal will be sorted within a fortnight. Many issues remain unresolved and questions unanswered.” (https://www.facebook.com/events/219013152199762/)

Media reports indicate that the rally attracted about 150 who witnessed Diane Abbott tell the crowd:

 

“When it comes to the Windrush scandal, all roads lead back to Theresa May.” (9)

 

Many remain sceptical of government assurances to resolve the issue, not least when they block Labour attempts to release secret documents on the issue. Home Secretary Javid countered saying that the Labour move was “disproportionate and distracting” and that a forthcoming government review will have full access to all papers and will report back before the summer break. (10)

 

In light of the ongoing scepticism, proactive measures and campaigns for redress are ongoing. One of the early successes was the petition launched by social commentator and political activist Patrick Vernon that called for:

“The government to stop all deportations, change the burden of proof and establish an amnesty for anyone who was a minor. The government should also provide compensation for loss & hurt.” (11) The government has ceded to demands for compensation but have offered few details so far. (12)

 

The petition exceeded the required 100,000 signatures necessary for parliamentary debate by almost 80% totalling 179,184. the debate happened on April 30th. (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/216539)

 

Another strategy, spearheaded by the Black Cultural Archives 9BCA), located appropriately enough in Windrush Square in Brixton are legal clinics that will serve as:

“A central point of contact for the community and safe space to ask critical questions and make enquires.” (13)

 

Clinics are set to take place at the BCA, Windrush sq. Brixton, SW2 1EF WC 7 May: Wed 9 May 5pm-8pm & Sat 12 May, 10am-1pm; WC 14 May: Wed 16 May 5pm-8pm & Sat 19 May, 10am-1pm; WC 21 May: Wed 23 May 5pm-8pm & Sat 26 May, 10am-1pm; WC 28 May: Wed 30 May 5pm-8pm. (https://blackculturalarchives.org/events/windrushlegalclinics)

 

Historically, governments have used inquiries as means of “kicking an issue into the long grass,” drawing out public interest until no longer newsworthy. (14) The promise of a summer conclusion appears to be going against this grain. However, the issue is now whether the campaign can maintain its considerable momentum and see its demands met.

 

(1) Benjamin Kentish (30/04/18) Windrush scandal: Tory MP Sajid Javid says ‘it could have been me’. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/windrush-latest-sajid-javid-personal-amber-rudd-deportation-local-elections-2018-a8327921.html

(2) Nadia Khomami and Goda Naujokaityte (30/04/18) How the Windrush scandal led to fall of Amber Rudd – timeline. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/30/how-windrush-scandal-fall-amber-rudd-timeline

(3) Lizzie Dearden (29/04/18) Government threatening UK residents with deportation on charter flight to Jamaica, despite Windrush assurances. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/windrush-deportations-jamaica-charter-flight-immigration-detention-grandmother-a8328461.html. Also Ben Gelblum (28/04/18) Revealed: Despite Theresa May’s apologies, Home Office charter secret removal flight to Jamaica with these grandmothers. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/revealed-despite-theresa-mays-apologies-home-office-charter-secret-removal-flight-to-jamaica-with-these-grandmothers/28/04/

(4) Jack Peat (19/04/18) Just 6 Labour MPs voted against the 2014 Immigration Act that caused the Windrush Scandal – no prizes for guessing who they were. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/just-6-labour-mps-voted-against-the-2014-immigration-act-that-caused-the-windrush-scandal-no-prizes-for-guessing-who-they-were/19/04/

(5) The Scotsman (19/04/18) 7,600 deported to Commonwealth nations on ‘charter flights’ since 2010. . https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/7-600-deported-to-commonwealth-nations-on-charter-flights-since-2010-1-4726625

(6) Amelia Hill (28/11/17) ‘Hostile environment’: the hardline Home Office policy tearing families apart.. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/28/hostile-environment-the-hardline-home-office-policy-tearing-families-apart

(7) 5 News (03/05/18) Windrush family reunited after spending decade apart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVzGp0kxCGo

(8) Florence Snead (19/04/18) Windrush: How Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May and other MPs voted on the Immigration Act 2014. . https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/windrush-immigration-act-corbyn-may/

(9) Nicola Slawson (05/05/18) Diane Abbott joins Windrush protest march on Whitehall https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/05/windrush-protest-whitehall-diane-abbott-theresa-may-hostile-environment-policy

(10) Benjamin Kentish (02/05/18) Windrush scandal: Tories vote to block release of secret documents as they launch review.. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/windrush-scandal-tories-vote-block-release-secret-documents-a8333501.html

(11) Andrew Fawthrop (13/04/18) Petition launched by former Hackney councillor calls on government to issue Windrush amnesty. https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2018/04/13/windrush-petition-amnesty-patrick-vernon-hackney-councillor-parliament/

(10) Amani Olubanjo Buntu (Ed) (2003) OFFICIAL REPORT: Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism. Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism 2002 and the Global Afrikan Congress Secretariat. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/6d195c_6003cd8648f842779d13573474734981.pdf

(11) Kirsty Major (03/11/17) Why are Labour councils in London being accused of social cleansing?. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/labour-estate-regeneration-council-homes-gentrification-accused-of-social-cleansing-why-a8035851.html

(12) Heather Stewart, Peter Walker, Amelia Gentleman and Kevin Rawlinson (20/04/18) Theresa May says Windrush victims will be paid compensation. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/20/theresa-may-says-windrush-victims-will-be-paid-compensation

(13) Damien Gayle (28/04/18) Windrush scandal: legal clinics in Brixton for those affected. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/28/windrush-scandal-legal-clinics-brixton-black-cultural-archives

(14) Simon Jenkins (25/06/13) EPoliticians who demand inquiries should be taken out and shot . https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/25/politicians-inquiries-lawrence-get-out-jail

 

we ask the question:

 

Windrush: A successful campaign?

1) Why did the Windrush issue gain momentum so quickly?

2) Why was the Windrush petition so successful where others (e.g. reparations) have not been?

3) Is the “Hostile Environment” really just for “illegal immigrants”?

4) Do you expect the government review of the Windrush scandal to come out on time and give full disclosure?

5) Is this a model that can be used for other campaigns?

6) What does the whole issue say about the status of Afrikans in the UK?

 

Bro. Patrick Vernon : Previously a councillor in the London Borough of Hackney, over the last twenty years Patrick has worked with many, often marginalised communities in the health and social care sector. Previously he was the former Chief Executive of the Afiya Trust, one of the leading race equality health charities in the country. Patrick has previously worked manager for Citizens Advice Bureau; senior civil servant at the Department of Health and Local Government Association; Director of the Brent Health Action Zone (Brent Primary Care Trust), and Regional Director for MIND. Patrick is former Committee member of Camidoc (GP out of hour’s service in North London), trustee for Social Action for Health in East London and North Muslim Housing Association. Patrick is a film maker and cultural historian and founder of Every Generation. www.everygeneration.co.uk and the 100 Great Black Britons campaign as well as a leading advocate for Windrush Day.