Meeting of the Parliament 13 December 2016
It is certainly the case that all of us, as politicians, have a responsibility to make clear the positive message about what refugees, among many other migrants, have contributed to this country, and to stand up against messages that make contrary claims, wherever they are found.
In doing that, it is important that we consider the evidence and how we can help to shape opinion in the future, because we should be concerned about the impact of negative rhetoric on the everyday lives of those who have chosen to make Scotland their home. We must continue to call for increased maturity and responsibility in how migration is discussed: the onus is on all of us to be conscientious as we choose our words.
The effect of what we might call an anti-migration discourse was raised at a recent focus group that I hosted for 11 EU nationals last month. Throughout our discussion, participants expressed unease about the language that is being used in some quarters to describe immigration. To many, that language represents a move towards dehumanisation and devalues individuals and their contribution. Such messages, along with the UK Government’s unwillingness to guarantee the rights of EU nationals following the referendum, had forced some of them to question whether they even want to remain in the UK, including people who have lived here for some 35 years.
It is utterly disgraceful that the UK Government has not yet guaranteed the immigration status of our non-UK EU nationals. It has created a feeling of apprehension that is affecting every aspect of their lives. For those EU nationals who have, until now, felt that they are part and parcel of the fabric of our society, their nationality is now a constant reminder of how insecure their future might be. Today, I reiterate our message that Scotland’s EU nationals are welcome here and that Scotland remains their home. Their contribution to our nation is valued and we will continue to press the UK Government to guarantee their rights.
In the coming weeks, we will present our proposition to protect Scotland’s place in Europe and to keep us in the single market. Our remaining a part of the single market means retaining freedom of movement: the two things are indivisible.