Tory MP blames immigrants without 'British values' for fly-tipping (2024)

Dudley MP Marco Longhi has stirred up controversy (Image: BirminghamLive)

Dudley MP Marco Longhi has stirred up controversy by suggesting that 'immigrants not adopting British values' are contributing to the issue of fly-tipping. The Tory MP, who previously instructed his staff not to assist asylum seekers, believes immigration is negatively impacting the environment in certain parts of Dudley.

He pointed out the St Thomas's area as a place where residents have lost their sense of pride in their surroundings. According toBirmingham Live,in a Facebook post, Mr Longhi stated: "St Thomas's ward is the most littered and fly-tipped area in Dudley.

"However, this was not always the case. A few decades ago, people in the area had pride in their local community. So, what has changed?

"A long term effect of immigration is the creation of parallel cultures and values at odds with our British values.

"This has led to run-down areas where people have complete disregard of their local community and are living in conditions that you would not expect in modern Britain."

According to Mr Longhi, while many immigrants have successfully integrated into the 'British way of life', too many 'don't have a basic respect for our area'.

Dudley's Labour leader, Cllr Pete Lowe, couldn't hold back in his fierce denouncement of Mr Longhi, accusing the MP of trying to divert attention from major cuts imposed by the Conservative government on council funding, particularly with a general election on the horizon. "This time our desperate MP for Dudley attempts to blame fly-tipping as a result of local 'environmental impact of immigration', conveniently avoiding the £122m cut from Dudley's budget nationally, and our local Tory council's failure of a plan to address and prosecute those responsible."

"My Britain is a culture of unity, where we celebrate our diversity and do not scapegoat in order to excuse the failings of themselves. "To be clear, it is the Tory government and council that has created this blight on our communities and it is to them we look to provide the funding and support to address."

Cllr Lowe didn't hold back in his continued denouncement of Mr Longhi, eagerly awaiting the chance to 'clear the streets' of him at the next general election. Disagreeing with Lowes stance, Mr Longhi argued: "I disagree that it is a 'council's failure' to deal with this issue, if you walk around St. Thomas's ward and walk around any other ward within my constituency you will see a stark difference."

"Fly tipping does happen elsewhere, of course. But the difference between the areas is stark. "There is almost no respect for public realm and neighbours in many areas in St Thomas's ward."

Cllr Damian Corfield, Dudley Council's Conservative cabinet member for environmental services, declared: "I've increased the fines to the maximum level allowed by the government and we have state of the art CCTV coverage throughout the borough. "When caught perpetrators are named and shamed and fined heavily."

In February, the Government unveiled a funding package that will provide £60bn for town halls over the next financial year. Michael Gove MP, Levelling up secretary, stated: "This funding package represents an increase of over nine percent for councils on last year, ensuring a fair deal for local government that reflects the vital work councils do to provide key services on which we all rely."

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