UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Tory frontbencher James Cleverly accuses PM Keir Starmer of favouring asylum seekers’ housing over hardworking locals as protests rise near hotels.
As reported by The Standard, newly appointed shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly slammed Labour leader Keir Starmer for focusing on asylum seekers’ housing over young workers.
Mr James, ex-home and foreign secretary, rejoined the Conservative front bench after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s cabinet reshuffle.
What did James Cleverly say about Keir Starmer’s housing priorities?
James Cleverly said he was outraged when Keir Starmer casually argued there are plenty of houses in the UK for asylum seekers.
He stated,
“I was furious, I genuinely couldn’t believe he said this, when the prime minister was at the Liaison Committee and blithely said, ‘Oh, there are plenty of houses around the UK for asylum seekers.’”
Mr Cleverly added,
“When there are people telling us and telling him that they’re struggling to get on the housing ladder and he dismisses their concerns in one line and once again demonstrates he is more interested in finding accommodation for asylum seekers than for hard-working young people here in the UK and that is toxic.”
He expressed concerns about community protests outside hotels accommodating asylum seekers.
Mr Cleverly stated,
“I understand the desire to protest. There is never any excuse for rioting and we are seeing that agitators, both on the left and the right, are descending upon these communities to try and stir things up and there’s never an excuse for that, but I do understand why local people are frustrated.”
His new position makes him the opposition’s counterpart to Angela Rayner on housing and local government.
What did Sir James Cleverly say about Angela Rayner and Labour’s role in society?
Sir James said Angela Rayner’s argument was sound but felt hollow given her participation in the BLM kneeling protest.
He stated, Ms Rayner and Labour have
“spent so much time seeming to be on the side of the people who don’t play by the rules, who jump the queue, who abuse the system.”
Mr Cleverly added,
“And now that they’re in government, she is saying, ‘Oh, well, I think you know, society is fracturing’, seemingly blind to the role the Labour Party have played in driving wedges between communities. Factionalism, unfortunately, has been a watchword of Labour in local government and also in national government.”
The shadow secretary accused the Labour Party and Prime Minister of backing every popular cause, aligning themselves with those who break rules and misuse the system.
What did Sir James Cleverly say about leaving the ECHR?
Referring to the UK’s exit from European Convention on Human Rights, Sir James declined to confirm if he shares the view that Britain should leave the international human rights group.
Mr Cleverly said exiting the ECHR is not a “silver bullet,” but he would back the party decision if the review calls for it.
What did Sir James Cleverly say about Kemi Badenoch becoming prime minister?
In reply to a question about whether Kemi Badenoch would be the next prime minister, he said, “Yes,” adding,
“I think that increasingly when people realise that the Conservatives are the only party in parliament that take the economic situation seriously, that take our defence situation seriously and actually have a plan to reduce public spending, reduce the tax burden and unlock the economy.”
He said,
“I think they will reward us at the ballot box, and we’ll see Kemi Badenoch go through the door of Number 10.”
What did Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner say about housing and immigration challenges?
Sir Keir Starmer told the Liaison Committee there is plenty of housing available for the growing number of homeless individuals and asylum seekers.
During a Cabinet briefing on July 22, Ms Rayner said immigration remains a significant factor shaping society and discussed ongoing social cohesion initiatives.
Illegal migrants in the UK
- Over 44,000 people arrived irregularly by March 2025 – 86% came on small boats (a 22% rise from 2024).
- Most were Afghans (16%), then Syrians (12%), Eritreans (12%), Iranians (11%), and Sudanese (9%).
- 94% of small boat arrivals since 2018 applied for asylum. By April 2025, 59% got a decision – over 56,000 were approved.
- Hotels for asylum seekers cost £8 million daily in early 2025. The full asylum system could cost over £15 billion in 10 years.