FAIR FIGHT
Labour leader vows zero tolerance to hate crime and greater support for refugees
Jeremy Corbyn will today warn that the country is being divided by austeri ty and inequality.
He will pledge that a Labour government would fight for a society free from racism and discrimination and Britain would “take our fair share of refugees”.
Speaking on the final day of his five-day Scottish campaign tour, the Labour leader said his party would also guarantee the rights of all EU nationals living in the UK.
Last week, the Home Office mistakenly sent up to 100 letters to EU nationals ordering them to leave the country or face deportation.
Corbyn is expected to say: “Tory cuts and austerity have affected everyone but have disproportionately hurt the poorest, the young, women, LGBT people and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
“Instead of causing such harm, we need a government that will fight for a society free from racism and discrimination, where people are free to live their lives. We will immediately guarantee the rights of all EU nationals living in the UK.
“People are not bargaining chips.
“It is disgraceful that the Conservative Government treated them this way – and sent letters threatening to deport some of them.”
He said: “The next Labour government will be proud to honour our international legal obligations – and our moral duty – to offer safety to our fair share of refugees.
“Hate crime is a shocking reality facing many in our country.
“We should be appalled by it – and its rise since the EU referendum.
“Labour would adopt a zero tolerance approach to hate crime, including that motivated byy rel igg ion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Corbyn has kept the party on campaign footing since the snap general election in June and is visiting marginal seats held by the SNP on a five- day tour of Scotland.
He began in the Western Isles on Wednesday and will end the tour today by today by speaking at the Rock against Racism festival in Glasgow.
Yesterday, he attended a pensioners’ tea party in Kirkcaldy, Fife, where he pledged to protect the free bus pass, triple lock on state pensions and winter fuel allowance.
Corbyn has faced criticism for his position on Britain leaving the EU.