Sunderland City of Sanctuary was established in 2014, to help build a welcoming environment in the city for those coming there to seek sanctuary. They have supported local groups who work with asylum seekers, so that they can successfully integrate with the local community and to help the local community understand more about those seeking safety on Sunderland, so that they can create a “culture of hospitality”.
The city of sanctuary also has a ‘Schools of Sanctuary’ programme where they work with local primary schools to help them to apply for Schools of Sanctuary award.
Reform UK wins control of Sunderland Council
Then on 7 May, Reform won control of Sunderland City Council by winning 58 of the 75 seats up for election.
In a message on 15 June, Sunderland’s ruling Reform group issued the following statement on X:
“Our first motion is to suspend Sunderland’s involvement in the City of Sanctuary Scheme.
The scheme was an ideological commitment voted for unanimously by the previous Labour administration supported by the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, WITHOUT consulting Wearside residents.
Reform UK believes the council should focus on local residents, local services and local concerns first”.
It has also been noted that this first motion would be put to Sunderland Council at their meeting on 24 June.
Response from City of Sanctuary
I spoke to Chris Howson from Sunderland of Sanctuary and asked him what he thought of the situation regarding Reform and the Sunderland City of Sanctuary. Chris told me this: “
“We would really love Reform to reflect on what it’s doing and think of ways of making Sunderland a welcoming city. They haven’t contacted us and we would just like them to think through their policies”.
In another statement Chris expanded on his thoughts about Reform and their stance towards Sunderland City of Sanctuary:
“The comments can feel like a very personal attack, but genuine prayers for everyone who has never met me, but feels very strongly about this.
So do I and my feelings come from my understanding of Jesus and the compassion he holds for the most marginalised.
And those communities feel very vulnerable at the moment, Yes, Reform have been elected, but they now have a duty to be a local council for all of us. Including those who are placed here by the government whilst their claims are heard.
Let’s try to be kind even if we profoundly disagree with each other. I worry about all the hate that there is out there at the moment.
Let’s strive to love our neighbours as we love ourselves, even if our neighbours look very different to us.
And thanks to all in Sunderland who show they care, they are the bulk of the people of the city”.
A welcoming city
It is interesting that Reform criticises the City of Sanctuary scheme in Sunderland, because it is in their words ‘ideological’, yet their first motion as a Reform-run council is extremely ideological.
Rather than focusing on local issues such as investment, education, public transport and a host of other important issues, they have chosen to be negative about an initiative which simply synthesises the welcome given to people coming into Sunderland and as such enhances the reputation of the city as a friendly place.
It is clear from Chris Howson’s comments that he wants the City of Sanctuary to be able to speak to Reform about their decision and discuss the issues around it in an amiable and constructive way. This seems to be the best way forward, and it is it be hoped that Reform will be reasonable and will be amenable to this.
In that way, Sunderland can continue to develop as a welcoming city and so enhance its reputation overall.
