Gary Lineker, the famous English football player and sportscaster, has been a vocal critic of the UK government’s immigration policies, particularly the Nationality and Borders Bill introduced in 2023. The bill has been widely condemned by human rights groups and refugee advocates for its harsh measures against asylum seekers, including criminalizing those who arrive by irregular means and sending them to remote countries for processing.
Lineker has used his platform to raise awareness about the issue, calling the bill “cruel” and “beyond awful.” He has also compared the rhetoric used by some government officials to that used by Nazi Germany, sparking a significant debate about free speech and the role of celebrities in political discourse.
Here are some of the key points of Lineker’s stance on immigration:
- He believes that the UK has a moral obligation to help refugees fleeing persecution and war.
- He argues that the government’s policies are inhumane and will deter people from seeking asylum.
- He calls for a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to immigration.
Good heavens, this is beyond awful. https://t.co/f0fTgWXBwp
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023
There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023
Lineker comments on a Twitter video put out by UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman, in which she unveils government plans to stop migrant boats crossing the Channel.
“Good heavens, this is beyond awful,” he writes.
Responding to the sports broadcaster, another Twitter user described his comment as “out of order”, adding that it is “easy to pontificate when it doesn’t affect you”.
Lineker responds: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
“This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
Lineker tweets again: “I have never known such love and support in my life than I’m getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot. I’ll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all.”
Lineker’s stance on immigration has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised him for speaking out against what they see as an unjust policy. Others have criticized him for using inflammatory language and for exceeding his role as a sportscaster.