A shadow Conservative Home Office minister has claimed that there are "no-go zones" in Luton where "white people won’t go." Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, made these remarks during a fringe meeting at the Conservative party conference, asserting that the town is "a very dangerous place" with some communities living in "ghettoes."
Context
Stephenson, who was appointed to the Tory frontbench role just two weeks ago, stated that his comments reflect concerns echoed by far-right activists, including the terrorist Anders Breivik, who previously claimed that Luton has similar zones. Local police and community groups have denied these assertions.
Key Remarks
Speaking at a Centre for Policy Studies meeting in Birmingham, Stephenson said:
“"I know Luton reasonably well because I live 10, 15 minutes away and represent Mid Bedfordshire. I live in a village just over the border. I think the town is a shadow of its former self. There are parts of that town – and unfortunately the police will tell you this – it can be a very dangerous place. There are parts where white people won’t go. They are like no-go zones."
He continued, emphasizing the need for deep integration to prevent the creation of such zones:
“"The country is for all of us not just certain communities. It does get icky for some people, but I think there is a consensus, certainly on the right, that mass migration has been an absolute disaster."
