In the wake of the Windrush scandal, footage from 2004 of Theresa May is being shared on the internet. And it’s not good for the PM. In fact, even the BBC‘s political editor Laura Kuenssberg described it as “extremely awkward” for May.
The footage shows May on Question Time criticising the then Labour government for its immigration policies and calling for its immigration minister to resign. She also made a clear statement:
I’m actually sick and tired of government ministers… who simply blame other people when something goes wrong and are not willing to take responsibility…
Kuenssberg tweeted the video, saying:
This whole saga is extremely awkward for the PM https://t.co/BjituUeoSP
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) April 19, 2018
“Hypocrisy”
Labour MP David Lammy shared the video to highlight May’s hypocrisy:
In 2004 Theresa May said "I find it extraordinary that a Minister isn’t willing just to step up to the plate and take responsibility… I’m actually sick and tired of Government Ministers who simply blame other people when something goes wrong".
I agree. pic.twitter.com/zv2Dlx6Q8B
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) April 19, 2018
Not only was Theresa May in charge of the Home Office when the Windrush generation’s landing cards were destroyed, but it was her devastating policies on immigration that caused the problem in the first place.
In 2014, the now shadow home secretary Diane Abbott asked May whether her policies on immigration would affect British nationals who “appear as if they might be immigrants”. May replied:
We’ve given a very great deal of thought to how these particular measures that we’re putting in will operate.
Resign now
While there have been calls for home secretary Amber Rudd to resign over the scandal, many believe it is May who should bear responsibility:
Who should carry the can for the Windrush scandal?
(Voting involves fondly imagining that we actually live in a world where political actions have meaningful consequences.)— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) April 19, 2018
Given May’s responsibility and her hypocrisy, many people are calling for her to resign:
Wow. Theresa May's extraordinary hypocrisy revealed in her own words. She needs to take responsibility for the #WindrushScandal she created and resign.#ResignNow Theresa May. Resign now. https://t.co/oyglNv9iv9
— Another Angry Voice (@Angry_Voice) April 19, 2018
— Vladimir Farage 🇪🇺 #RejoinEU #NATO #FBPE #FBPA (@VladimirFarage) April 19, 2018
Creating a “really hostile environment for illegal migrants” was one of May’s flagship policies. It has caused huge amounts of suffering and anxiety for so many people. From the Windrush generation to the women who’ve been on hunger strike in Yarl’s Wood and to anyone threatened by her racist ‘go home’ vans, May’s policies have spread misery across the country.
The Home Office doesn’t appear to know how many people are affected. And May is busily trying to deflect blame for something that lands directly on her doorstep.
For once, May is right. We are “sick and tired of government ministers… who simply blame other people when something goes wrong and are not willing to take responsibility”. So please, Theresa May, do the decent thing. Listen to your own words. Take responsibility. And resign now.
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Featured image via screengrab
