In the letter, Mr Bonavia asserted his belief that asylum seekers “should not be staying in our local hotels”, and that he “appreciates and understands the deep sense of impatience” surrounding the scheme.
“If you’re trying to persuade me that asylum seekers should not be staying in our local hotels, there is no need as this has been my position throughout the last three years as Labour candidate and then MP,” he wrote.
“When the last Conservative government lost control of our borders, systemically underfunded asylum casework processing units, gutted our border security patrols and wasted hundreds of millions of pounds on the hopeless Rwanda scheme – they settled on the desperate and unsuitable position of using taxpayers’ money to house asylum seekers in two local hotels.
“I opposed the use of hotels then, I campaigned in opposition on a platform to stop it, I stood on a manifesto and local pledge to end it, and I still believe it should be stopped – now more than ever before.
“I totally appreciate and understand the deep sense of impatience that this is happening, whether that’s because you feel it’s unjust on local taxpayers or on some of the vulnerable individuals or families staying there.
“Whatever your views on immigration and asylum policy, I am sure we would all agree that it is wholly inappropriate to use hotels as hostels for asylum seekers in limbo.”
As the letter continued, Mr Bonavia said he has raised the issue of asylum seeker hotels “at least 15 times since being elected”, but emphasised that the issue cannot be solved overnight.
Novotel in Stevenage (Image: Google Street View) “Anyone who proposes that this can be solved overnight without due process and actual long-term solutions is being unserious and misleading other residents who mean well and want to see this solved,” he continued.
“Short mindedness got us into this mess; only thought-through action will get us out of it.
“I have raised the cases of our local hotels being unsuitably used in this way at least 15 times since being elected as your MP – be that through representations to departments and ministers, questions and statements in the House of Commons or discussions with our councils.
“I promised to roll my sleeves up and exhaust all avenues to get this done. That’s what I’m doing.
“So far this Government has reversed the Rwanda scheme and used the savings to fund a massive increase in asylum caseworkers. I continue to re-iterate that those caseworkers should focus on our hotels as soon as they can.
“The Chancellor also re-iterated this pledge in a recent statement in the House of Commons, stating the money has been made available in the latest spending review to deliver this promise by the end of the Parliament.
“It will come as a surprise to no-one that I’m not the only MP continuously asking for my area to receive this attention first, and it should be even less of a surprise that, when it does, it could be a lengthy and complicated process to undo the logistical and legal issues that may be intertwined into many of these cases.
“There are also limited means of action that can take place outside of national politics. For example I have supported our local Labour council in taking planning enforcement action against the Novotel for its use of the site.
“I will always support residents’ right to express their opinions in any fair and peaceful way they wish, but I want to leave my constituents in no doubt about where I stand and what I’m doing about this.”
Mr Bonavia finished his letter by reiterating that Stevenage was a “tolerant, diverse and hardworking town”, and asked residents to “not spread any rumours” when it comes to criminality and safety associated with the hotels and asylum seekers.
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“I understand many have raised concerns about safety issues around the hotels. I will continue my ongoing dialogue with police and leaders to ensure no-one is ever put in danger and would like to highlight the Government’s new pledge to deport foreign criminals immediately upon conviction. If you come to this country and can’t respect our rules, you must face the consequences,” he concluded.
“I would finally ask that we all be sensible whenever we have any concerns about criminality or safety. Please do not spread any rumours, but do report anything suspicious that you see yourself to our police force as soon as possible.
“I am contactable as always at kevin.bonavia.mp@parliament.uk so please continue feeding in your experiences and thoughts on the matter.
“Stevenage is a tolerant, diverse and hardworking town – we respect the rule of law and also expect fairness for ourselves and others. Let’s continue applying those values.”