Spelthorne Liberal Democrats - Statement on the Stanwell Hotel

Since 2022 the Stanwell Hotel has been used by the government to house asylum seekers, both families and individual adults.  Until recently this facility was not a cause of significant concern to residents with many signs of assimilation and acceptance by residents.  This situation changed dramatically when the Home Office announced, without any consultation, their intention to repurpose the hotel for single male asylum seekers.

As the largest party in the Administration which runs Spelthorne Borough Council, we oppose the Home Office plans to remove families with children and single women from the Stanwell Hotel and replace them with single males as is the current Home Office plan.

Whilst at the time of writing the Home Office has paused the implementation of the Plan, we have received no assurance that the plan will be cancelled entirely, which has left both the Council and the Community in an anxious and uncertain position. We have therefore, with our partners in the Administration, taken the step to seek independent legal advice whilst, at the same time, urging the Home Office to reconsider its plans. 

Following the vote in the Spelthorne Borough Council chamber on the 7th of August, which was passed unanimously, we call upon The Home Office to:

1. Immediately reconsider its plans to utilise the Stanwell Hotel to house adult male only asylum seekers, 

2. Actively consult and work with the Local Authority, 

3. Continue engaging with key stakeholders and support the existing client group of families and single female asylum seekers at the Stanwell Hotel; and 

4. Give due regard to public concerns, local services and the local community

We deplore the use of misinformation by some external agents to foster fear and confusion among the community. Spelthorne Borough Council is committed to providing residents with accurate and up to date information, we therefore urge that all protests remain peaceful and that protestors should not approach residents of the hotel. Spelthorne Borough Council is doing everything in its power to ensure that residents' voices are heard and respected.

The blatant politicisation of the situation by certain parties has only served to inflame the situation.  Councillors should be uniting to support residents, instead of using the situation to emphasise divisions and encourage hatred and public abuse. 

Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Chris Bateson said “ Spelthorne Liberal Democrats deplore any behaviour that may lead to an increase in tensions in Stanwell, and also any attempts by political parties to exploit the situation for their own ends.”