Rebuilding a Nation: Turning Fear into Unity After the Southport Tragedy

Ever wondered how a single tragic event could unravel an entire nation?

Stay with me, because what’s happening in our streets isn’t just about anger—it’s about something much deeper.

And the solution might surprise you

In the quiet seaside town of Southport, the tragic stabbing of three young girls at a dance class has cast a dark shadow over our nation. The grief of that senseless act has been followed by a wave of unrest, sweeping across England and Northern Ireland like a storm, fueled by fear, misinformation, and a dangerous rise in far-right, anti-immigration sentiment.

From Plymouth to Sunderland, from London to Belfast, we’ve seen our streets filled with anger, our mosques attacked, our libraries burned, and our communities torn apart.

But in the midst of this chaos, we must pause and ask ourselves: What are we truly fighting against?

The anger we’re seeing isn’t about the people who’ve come to our shores seeking safety. It’s about the cracks in our own society, the years of underfunding that have left our infrastructure crumbling, and the frustration of those who feel unheard and abandoned. When we attack the most vulnerable among us—those fleeing war and persecution—we aren’t solving our problems. We’re only deepening the divide and losing sight of what truly matters.

It’s important to know the difference between an economic migrant and an asylum seeker. An economic migrant comes here to find better job opportunities and improve life for their family. An asylum seeker, however, is fleeing from war, persecution, or danger, and they seek safety in our country. After World War II, Britain agreed to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which means we have a legal duty to protect and house asylum seekers.

It’s our responsibility to honor that commitment and help those who have nowhere else to go.

Migration is not new. For centuries, humans have moved across borders in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. The British people have done the same, living and working in every corner of the globe. Just as we have made our homes elsewhere, people have come here, bringing with them skills, cultures, and traditions that enrich our society.

Consider the doctors and nurses who care for us in our hospitals, many of whom were born in other countries. Think about the groundbreaking research conducted in our universities, much of it driven by brilliant minds from around the world. Or the diverse and delicious food on our plates, seasoned with spices and flavours brought to our shores by generations of migrants. This is what makes Britain great—a nation that welcomes others and grows stronger because of it.

 The real issue isn’t migration; it’s the years of neglect that have left our housing system overwhelmed and our public services stretched to the limit. The government’s decision to house asylum seekers in hotels isn’t a sign that migration has failed us—it’s a symptom of an infrastructure that’s been allowed to decay. The processing of asylum claims drags on, not because of the people seeking refuge, but because of a backlog of paperwork that’s been ignored for too long. 

If we want to make Britain truly great again, we need to focus our efforts on the real culprits: the billionaires who dodge their fair share of taxes, the corporations that exploit loopholes, and the systems that prioritize profit over people.

The fight should be against those who refuse to contribute to the society they benefit from, not against those who risk everything to escape violence and despair. 

While the tabloids, like the Daily Mail and Daily Express, have fuelled division and hatred to boost their sales, and certain politicians from the Reform Party and the Tories have played into this fear for their own gain, there's another path we can take.

The Green Party has offered a vision of genuine hope and real change. We’ve advocated for taxing the wealth of the multi-millionaires and billionaires to reinvest in our public services, to house the vulnerable, and to rebuild Britain.

Our vision is to transform scarcity into abundance, creating a land of plenty where we can welcome people with open arms.

By investing in our communities and supporting those in need, we can foster a united and compassionate nation, ready to embrace everyone who seeks safety and a better life. 

We are a nation divided, but we don’t have to be. We can choose a different path—one that’s built on compassion, understanding, and a commitment to justice.

It’s time to remember the values that once made us proud, to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, and to build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Let’s not allow fear to guide our actions. Let’s come together, heal the wounds in our society, and rebuild a United Kingdom that’s worthy of its name.

The greatness of our nation lies not in its wealth or power, but in its ability to care for its people—all its people—no matter where they come from or what they’ve endured.

Let’s make that our legacy.