On Friday 30 October, I returned to Linton-on-Ouse alongside the village's current MP, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Joy Morrissey, to support residents opposing the Government's plans for an asylum centre at the former RAF base.
Having represented Linton-on-Ouse until the 2024 boundary changes, I know this community well and remember the strength of local opposition when similar proposals were put forward in 2022.
We walked the proposed site before meeting residents and campaigners in the village hall to hear firsthand about their concerns and the impact the renewed uncertainty is having on their lives.
Linton-on-Ouse is a small rural village of fewer than 1,000 people. The proposed centre would sit right in the heart of the community, less than 500 metres from the local primary school. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about whether local roads, services and infrastructure could possibly accommodate a facility of this scale.
What concerns me particularly is that the damage is already being felt, even before a final decision has been made.
According to the Linton Action Group, 66 rental properties are currently standing empty, with families reluctant to move into the village and primary school enrolment suffering as a result. This is having a very real impact on the future of the community.
There are also serious questions about the cost to taxpayers. Campaigners estimate that the proposals could cost around £300 million, despite the Ministry of Defence confirming that the site is only available until July 2029 at the latest.
The Home Office disputes the campaigners' figures, but has yet to publish the information needed to properly scrutinise the costs and feasibility of the scheme.
I have been clear that this is the wrong plan in the wrong place.
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has himself described residents' concerns as understandable. If that is the case, his Government should listen to them.
I am calling on the Home Office to publish the evidence behind its feasibility study and for the Asylum Minister, Anna Turley, to visit Linton-on-Ouse personally to meet residents, rather than simply offering a meeting with a civil servant.
Above all, the Government must abandon this proposal.
I was pleased to join Alec, Chris and Joy in demonstrating our support for the village, and I will continue working alongside Alec and local campaigners to ensure their voices are heard.
The people of Linton-on-Ouse have already been through years of uncertainty. They deserve answers, reassurance and the opportunity to get on with their lives without this threat hanging over their community.
