The Home Office should mobilise troops to tackle the backlog in visa applications, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has told MyLondon. It comes after criticism of “chaos” as Ukrainian refugees scramble to secure visas to stay with their families in the UK.
There have been reports of huge delays at processing centres, and those seeking visas will only be able to apply online from next Tuesday (March 15). Speaking to MyLondon ahead of the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference, leader Sir Ed Davey MP said: “We’ve had appalling political leadership from the Home Secretary.
“It’s been slow and incompetent. Even today they’re saying ‘yes we’ll move to online visas’, but it’s nowhere near generous enough.” He called for a new route of ‘humanitarian visas’ to be set up for those who do not have immediate family in the UK – and urged Home Secretary Priti Patel to bring in the army to deal with the backlog
READ MORE: Sadiq Khan: Ukrainian refugees need to be ‘welcomed with open arms’ in London and across UK
(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
The Kingston and Surbiton MP said: “We’re going to need armed forces personnel. We need to get some other people working with the Home Office. You will not be surprised to know I’ve never been a fan of Priti Patel, but she needs to pull her finger out.”
While the Lib Dem leader would not put a figure on how many Ukrainians should be welcomed into the UK, he added: “A real level of generosity is needed.” And on a day when the UK government announced fresh sanctions for seven more Russian oligarchs – including Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich – Sir Ed said the Conservatives needed to be “far tougher” on wealthy Russians who own more than £1 billion in property in the capital.
“Even now the government is dragging their feet. The US has sanctioned nearly 200 more Putin cronies than we have. The EU has sanctioned over 400 more. We are just not in that ballpark,” Sir Ed told MyLondon. The former energy minister added: “We need to go further than individuals, and look at companies like [Russian oil giant] Gazprom. Companies here need to get out of contracts with them.”
The Conservatives have received millions of pounds in donations in recent years from Russian-born donors, leading critics to suggest ministers have been deliberately slow in applying sanctions on high net-worth individuals. Sir Ed said: “There needs to be an investigation into the role of Russian money in British politics. But for now, we’ve got to focus now on helping the people of Ukraine.”
At MyLondon, we want to make sure you get the latest and greatest from across the capital.
And one way you can do that is by getting the best news, reviews and features from wherever you are straight to your inbox with our free email newsletters.
We have seven newsletters you can currently sign up for – including a different one for each part of London, as well as an EastEnders one for all the gossip from Albert Square, and a London Underground one to keep you up to date on the latest transport news.
The local newsletters go out twice a day and send the latest stories straight to your inbox.
From community stories and news covering every borough of London to celebrity and lifestyle stories, we’ll make sure you get the very best every day.
To sign up to any of our newsletters, simply follow this link and select the newsletter that’s right for you.
And to really customise your news experience on the go, you can download our top-rated free apps for iPhone and Android. Find out more here.
The MP, who served in the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition, heaped praise on current Tory Defence Secretary Ben Wallace: “I think [he’s] done a good job, bringing NATO countries together quite well…we’re seeing how effective the anti-aircraft materials being supplied by the UK and others are proving. The British Army has been training Ukrainian armed forces since 2014…Russians have failed to command the skies because of anti-aircraft in part provided by us.”.
But he also issued a strong warning against Brits hoping to join the fight in Ukraine. Sir Ed added: “People should be extremely cautious about going over to Ukraine, unless they’re involved in some humanitarian effort or part of recognised NGOs. It’s extraordinarily dangerous, people would have to be highly trained and working with people they know. They should listen to the secretary of state for defence on this.”
As well as debating support for Ukraine, the Lib Dems’ conference is expected to see a major policy announcement on tackling the cost of living crisis. And the centre-left party is hoping to pick up seats from the Conservatives in May’s London-wide council elections – though the expectations management has already begun.
“We did extraordinarily well four years ago, so we are coming off a high base,” Sir Ed said. All of the party’s target council seats are against the Conservatives, in a sign of growing co-operation with Labour.
Josiah joined MyLondon as the outlet’s first City Hall Editor in October 2021, reporting on the Mayor, the London Assembly, the Met police, Transport for London, and wider London politics.
He moved to South London from Brussels in 2015, working in communications for the Electoral Reform Society, and covering Westminster politics as a freelance journalist. Originally from Cornwall, he is now also a proud Londoner. Josiah has appeared on BBC Radio 4, Times Radio, LBC and other outlets to discuss current affairs and general political chaos.
If you have an untold story – whether it’s a housing nightmare, an unfair decision or a local scandal, get in touch at josiah.mortimer@reachplc.com or contact Josiah on Twitter.
Do you want the latest news in your area sent straight to your inbox? It only takes a few minutes! Click here.
Discussion about this post