During a recent episode of Question Time, the audience erupted into applause as economist Faiza Shaheen challenged GB News host Matt Goodwin on his views regarding immigration. Goodwin had suggested that asylum seekers frequently break laws, but Shaheen quickly countered, emphasizing that most migrants simply desire better opportunities for their families.
Shaheen’s impassioned defense garnered multiple rounds of applause from the audience and has since gone viral on social media. She highlighted that immigrant families share common aspirations with native citizens, such as wanting their children to succeed in education. Shaheen pointed out that many asylum seekers hail from countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, where historical factors have contributed to their current hardships.
The debate unfolded at the beginning of the episode, which centered on the topic of asylum seekers. The Home Office recently announced plans to relocate around 900 asylum seekers to military sites in Scotland and Sussex, marking a shift from using hotels for temporary housing.
Shaheen continued to advocate for a more compassionate approach towards asylum seekers, emphasizing that these individuals are ordinary people seeking refuge from dire circumstances and aiming to establish stable lives for their families. The decision to utilize military sites for housing comes after reports of significant financial waste associated with accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.
In contrast, Goodwin expressed opposition to the government’s actions, criticizing the perceived leniency towards immigrants entering the country unlawfully. He argued that taxpayers are bearing the burden of accommodating individuals who often flout laws, undermining the principle of fairness that Britain is known for.
Before Shaheen challenged Goodwin, a member of the audience interjected, urging commentators to focus more on addressing issues related to public services for British citizens, such as healthcare accessibility. This sentiment echoes previous discussions on Question Time, indicating a growing concern among the public regarding the allocation of resources and support for both immigrants and native residents.