Migrant hotels will wipe out this generation of Labour MPs

Cresta Court Hotel in Altringcham, which now houses migrants
Cresta Court Hotel in Altringcham, which now houses migrants - Christopher Furlong/Getty

But for a twist of fate, Connor Rand would not be an MP.

The first Labour MP to represent the constituency of Altrincham and Sale for a century was only selected to stand at the general election at the very last minute, after the existing candidate pulled out for personal reasons. Now this quiet trade unionist, who has never been in the public eye, has been thrust to the frontline of the battle over illegal immigration – and is discovering just how uncomfortable it can be.

Rand is facing an onslaught from constituents over the sudden arrival of up to 300 male asylum seekers in the market town – and understandably so. For locals have been caught completely off guard. When they voted Labour, some may have been encouraged by a pledge to end the use of hotel accommodation for illegal migrants. To their dismay, now one has sprung up right in their midst.

The first residents knew of it was when Best Western Cresta Court Hotel suddenly cancelled all bookings – including weddings – to make way for the migrants. To say feelings are running high is an understatement. A public meeting held in a church, designed to address concerns, quickly descended into acrimony, as those alarmed by the prospect of dozens of undocumented young men hanging around the community clashed with “Refugees Welcome” campaigners.

Furious residents heckled a local police inspector sent to field questions, while a handful of pro-asylum seekers hurled insults at those who dared express any disquiet. Amid the furore, Rand seems like a proverbial rabbit in the headlights.

Chief among the fears of those who live near the new migrant hotel is crime. As anxious mothers pointed out at last week’s fractious meeting, the Cresta is within walking distance of two all-girls schools. Few have much confidence that the authorities can be sure who all the new arrivals are – and that none have criminal records.

Such fears are not (as the usual placard-waving suspects tried to claim at the public meeting) “racist.” They are entirely reasonable. It is well known that many of those who cross the Channel in small boats deliberately jettison their passports and other documentation en route. Moreover, a number of asylum seekers and other illegal immigrants have been linked to truly heinous crimes in this country.

Earlier this year, for example, a Moroccan asylum seeker was sentenced to life in prison for murdering an innocent British pensioner in “revenge” for the Israel-Hamas conflict. The judge in the case said the killer wanted to “frighten the British people and undermine the freedoms they enjoy.” In another case last month, a 27-year-old woman working in a migrant hotel in Walsall was stabbed to death.

Quite how many other violent crimes and other shocking offences are committed by illegal migrants is uncertain because the Home Office very deliberately does not collect such statistics. It would be easy for police to obtain information about those who are caught and arrested, at the very least. The absence of official statistics only fuels suspicion of a cover up.

In a response that has inflamed many of his constituents, the newly elected MP for Altrincham seems content to parrot vague assurances that the authorities have it all covered. He has told locals that all the new arrivals have been checked out, and there is no reason to fear any spike in crime.

Unsurprisingly, the community is far from convinced. Indeed, they feel completely fobbed off. Amongst angry locals, there is now talk of bombarding him with daily emails, and staging peaceful demonstrations. At this rate, Rand may soon rue the day he unexpectedly swapped a life out of the limelight for his new role as an MP.