Protests at Teignbridge ahead of immigration debate

People lobbying for tighter controls on migrants coming to Devon have been warned: “Making things worse for others does not make things better for us.”

The comment from Cllr Andrew Swain (Lib Dem, Teign Valley) came as members of Teignbridge Council debated a motion brought by the authority’s only Reform councillor Stephen Horner (Teignmouth West).
Councillors arriving for the meeting were greeted by demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism Exeter and other local groups.
Cllr Horner’s motion said: “Teignbridge cannot turn a blind eye to the growing national concern over the placement of individuals who have entered the UK illegally or through deception.
“While current numbers in Teignbridge are low, pressure for further placements is real. This motion calls for a clear stance – no secret deals, no silent placements, no compromise on safety. Full transparency, full consultation, and full accountability.”
But when it came to the vote only Cllr Horner backed his own motion. Even his seconder Cllr Alex Hall (Con, Buckland and Milber) voted against him, saying he had put his name to the motion just to get the issue aired.
Thirty four Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Independent councillors voted against the motion and two abstained.
The meeting heard that in a population of 135,000 people in Teignbridge there were 37 people currently seeking asylum.
But Cllr Horner said immigration had become ‘unsustainable’. “Living standards fall and services buckle,” he added. “It is misplaced compassion to see all immigration as positive. Compassion becomes self-destructive.
“We make decisions that feel kind, but cause long-term harm.”
He said his motion was not about demonising migrants, but dealing with those who arrive dishonestly, and urged colleagues: “Don’t indulge in suicidal empathy at the expense of the residents you serve.”
But other councillors hit back strongly, with council leader Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) quoting from a resident’s email to say: “Welcoming those in need strengthens rather than weakens us.”
Cllr Andrew MacGregor (Ind, Bishopsteignton) said: “What this motion is really asking is that we abandon our tradition and our values for political posturing.” And Cllr Jackie Hook (Lib Dem, Bushell) added: “We can stand together in unity or risk losing all the progress made by generations before us.”
Cllr David Cox (Lib Dem, Teignmouth Central) said housing pressures in Teignbridge were not coming from migrants taking houses but second home owners. “It’s a matter of greed,” he said. Conservative group leader Cllr Phil Bullivant (Bradley) told the meeting: “This motion goes against the core values of what being British actually means.”
Some members of the public had questioned whether the debate should even be held, as Teignbridge had no jurisdiction over Home Office policy on housing asylum seekers, but Cllr Liam Mullone (Ind, College) said it was important to ‘lance the boil’ and discuss it in public.
The council later passed a motion from Cllr David Palethorpe (Lib Dem, Ipplepen) which celebrated the contribution of refugees in the community and said Teignbridge should play its part in welcoming asylum-seekers.
A total of 22 members voted for that motion, with the other 14 in the chamber at the time abstaining. Cllr MacGregor said the motion was just ‘performative politics’ while Cllr Mullone added: “I don’t feel my halo needs another coat of polish.”