Government's 'Go home' vans backed by Immigration Minister Mark Harper
Mark Harper: 'If it’s successful we’ll look at rolling it out'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Government's controversial "Go home" advertising campaign against illegal immigrants may get a nationwide roll-out, according to the Immigration Minister - despite its poster being banned.
The controversial billboards were dragged behind lorries around six London boroughs, and faced harsh criticism from politicians of all parties. And earlier this month, the poster in question was banned by the Advertising Standards Agency for using misleading figures.
But Mark Harper yesterday affirmed his backing of the campaign, telling BBC Question Time: “I don’t see any problem with saying to people who have no right to be in the United Kingdom they can’t be here anymore.
“If it’s successful we’ll look at rolling it out, if it’s not successful, we won’t."
In July, when the campaign took place, Diane Abbott, a Labour MP whose north London constituency was one of the target areas, told The Guardian: “It is not so much dog-whistle politics as an entire brass band. It is akin to scrawling 'Paki go home' on the side of buildings.
“I don't believe this policy is going to achieve anything besides stoking fear and resentment.”
The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said it was “stupid and offensive," and even Ukip leader Nigel Farage spoke out, calling the signs “nasty” and “unpleasant”.
However a YouGov poll showed 47 per cent of the public approved of the scheme.
After an investigation, the Advertising Standards Agency cleared the campaign of being offensive, despite drawing 224 complaints.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments