Asylum reform: Full list of MPs opposing government’s immigration proposals

More than 20 Labour MPs have expressed criticism of the government’s radical reforms to Britain’s asylum system.

Shabana Mahmood has proposed sweeping new reforms to the UK asylum system today, which has quickly led to a visceral backlash from many Labour figures.

Modelled on Denmark’s tough immigration rules, the new measures could see fast-tracked deportations, and a quadrupling of the time it might take to achieve permanent status.

Mahmood described the plans as the “most sweeping asylum reforms in modern times” and said the government is building an asylum system “fit for the world as it is”.

It’s prompted a fierce debate within the party, with many Labour MPs quick to express their horror at the perceived draconian measures.

However, other Labour figures such as Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash and Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes have indicated their support.

In a warning to Labour MPs, Mahmood told the Commons: “If we fail to deal with this crisis, we will draw more people down a path that starts with anger and ends in hatred.”

Asylum minister Alex Norris defended the measures, telling the BBC the “fair and humane” plans would “restore order and control at our borders”.

Here is LabourList’s tracker of which MPs have made their disapproval known:

Tony Vaughan

The new MP for Folkestone and Hythe was among the first to make their displeasure at the new proposals clear. His post has now become totemic in opposition to the government’s harsh new measures.

He posted on X: “The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong. We absolutely need immigration controls. And where those controls decide to grant asylum, we should welcome and integrate, not create perpetual limbo and alienation.”

The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.

The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong. We absolutely need immigration controls. And where those controls decide to…

— Tony Vaughan KC MP (@tonyvaughanMP) November 16, 2025

Several other Labour MPs have shared Vaughan’s remarks including Clive Lewis, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Kate Osborne and Peter Lamb.

Olivia Blake

Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake has been outspoken on the asylum system reforms, describing the proposals as a “profound betrayal of Labour values”.

In an article for LabourList, she said: “These actions drag the entire political conversation into territory from which only the far right can ever truly win. In doing so, we are handing them the keys to Number 10.”

Nadia Whittome

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome hit out at the Home Secretary’s proposals in the House of Commons, describing the proposed reforms as “dystopian”.

She said: “It’s shameful that a Labour government is ripping up the rights and protections of people who have endured unimaginable trauma.”

John McDonnell

Veteran left winger John McDonnell responded to Vaughan’s original post, making clear his own opposition to the reforms.

He said: “Tony Vaughan is one of the new MPs elected for Labour last year & in his contributions to Commons debates has displayed a considered approach to issues. He’s certainly not what the media would call a ‘usual suspect.’

“I suspect he is reflecting here what many in the PLP feel.”

Stella Creasy

In an op-ed in The Guardian today, Creasy blasted the government’s Denmark-style approach to asylum.

She wrote: “This is not just performatively cruel, it’s economically misjudged. There is scant evidence that Denmark’s decision to refuse to grant longterm asylum to most has deterred anyone who would have chosen Denmark as a destination.”

Long-standing member of Labour’s national executive committee Ann Black echoed Creasy’s concerns and said: “I’m with Stella on this” in a post on social media.

Simon Opher

The Stroud MP said: “We should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it’s wrong and cruel … we should push back on the racist agenda of Reform rather than echo it.”

Brian Leishman

The Alloa and Grangemouth MP, who recently got the Labour whip back, has told The New Statesman’s Megan Kenyon that he has “reservations” about the new measures.

He said: “We need to build a caring compassionate society that looks after people from the UK and also from other countries. And that needs to be done with real Labour Party values.”

Sarah Owen

The Luton North MP posted on BlueSky: “A strong immigration system doesn’t need to be a cruel one. It shouldn’t need saying – but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.”

Cat Eccles

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles told PoliticsHome’s Harriet Symonds: “I’m massively disappointed and angry about what the Home Sec is saying.”

Rachael Maskell

MP for York Central Rachael Maskell criticised the proposals in an interview with Times Radio and said: “The dehumanisation of people in desperation is the antithesis of what the Labour Party is about.”

Richard Burgon

MP for Leeds East Richard Burgon described the plans as “morally wrong [and] politically disastrous” in a post on social media.

He said: “We’ve moved a long way from the days when the Prime Minister promised “an immigration system based on compassion and dignity.” We now have policies and briefings that seem to have been dragged from the moral sewer – and that are even being celebrated by far-right figures like ‘Tommy Robinson’.

“Labour voters who have abandoned the party will not be won back by this. They haven’t flocked to Reform but mainly to other progressive parties or now simply say they don’t know who to vote for. Many who have stuck with Labour so far will be repulsed by these attacks on vulnerable people fleeing war and persecution.”

Ian Byrne

MP for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne also criticised the government’s planned asylum system reforms and accused the Prime Minister of drifting “far from [his] promise of ‘compassion and dignity’, towards policies dragged from the moral abyss and applauded by far-right figures like Farage & Yaxley-Lennon”.

Today, the Government will make yet another desperate bid to outflank Reform on asylum seekers.

We’ve drifted far from the PM’s promise of ‘compassion and dignity’, towards policies dragged from the moral abyss and applauded by far-right figures like Farage & Yaxley-Lennon.…

— lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) November 17, 2025

Andy McDonald

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald has urged the government to withdraw the proposed asylum policies, reportedly calling them “cruel, unfair and unworkable”.

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan, who recently got the Labour whip restored, has also signalled his opposition to the proposals set out by the Home Secretary. He said trying to steal votes from Reform is an “electoral dead end”.

“We are compassionate, tolerant and generous. Kicking out recognised asylum seekers doesn’t speak to any of our values. It hardens us as a nation and portrays Britain as a country like its weather – cold and uninviting.”

Steve Witherden

Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr MP Steve Witherden said on social media that the nation’s problems would not be solved by “demonising” asylum seekers.

In a video, he said: “British workers have more in common with asylum seekers living on £49 a week than they do with billionaires or multi-millionaires. Tackling the cost of living crisis should be our priority, not demonising asylum seekers.”

Apsana Begum

Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum hit out at the government’s asylum plans and said: “Policies to punish asylum seekers and refugees are a defeatist attempt to outdo Reform.

“There’s no dignity nor compassion in treating people fleeing persecution with appalling hostility and suspicion.”

Kim Johnson

Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson said the proposals for changes to the asylum system are “nothing less than contemptible” and accused the Home Secretary of lifting rhetoric from the “far-right playbook”.

“The outrage among many Labour MPs is palpable, and I will continue to fight alongside them against these changes and for fair and humane policies for asylum seekers and refugees,” she said.

Asylum seekers are not responsible for dividing our society, it’s the racist rhetoric and policies taken straight from the far right playbook.

These new policies are nothing short of shameful. The government must think again.

My full statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/i3Bya9t2ML

— Kim Johnson (@KimJohnsonMP) November 17, 2025

Jon Trickett

In a post on social media, MP for Normanton and Hemsworth Jon Trickett said it was “time to stop kicking people lower down the social scale (like asylum seekers) whilst protecting the rich”.

Imran Hussain

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain branded the controversial policy as a “desperate attempt to copy Reform, not fix a broken system”.

He said: “These asylum announcements scrape the bottom of the barrel. Cruelty won’t protect traumatised children or rebuild trust. Britain must lead with fairness and humanity, not race the far-right to the bottom.”

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