We all want to see an end to dangerous crossings on small boats across the Channel, but this legislation will do nothing of the sort. 

Instead, Conservative plans would see those fleeing war and persecution detained and deported.  

It would cost the taxpayer huge sums of money and, far from cracking down on illegal trafficking gangs, punish those seeking safety in the UK. 

It runs roughshod over international law, which confirms that asylum seekers should not be punished for how they arrive in a country.

Liberal Democrats know that the best way to stop these dangerous crossings is to provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for those that need it. 

Our new policy, passed by members today at Conference, shows how we can do just that. It calls on the Government to: 

• Immediately scrap the Illegal Migration Bill.
• Fix the broken asylum system by taking powers from the Home Office and establishing a new, dedicated unit to make decisions quicker and more fairly. 
• Provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees from all countries, including:
  • An expanded, properly funded resettlement scheme. 
  • A new scheme for unaccompanied child refugees. 
  • Reuniting unaccompanied children in Europe with family in the UK. 
  • Humanitarian visas to allow asylum seekers to travel the UK to proceed with their claims. 

Read the motion here

The UK has a proud and long-standing tradition of opening its arms and providing sanctuary to those in need of protection. The Conservative government is trying to trash that legacy. Now, more than ever, we cannot turn our backs on those who need us.