01/02/2025

The once serene and historic Esperance Hospital in Eastbourne might soon be repurposed to serve as accommodation for invaders, according to recent developments.

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde took to his Facebook page on January 31st to reveal that he has been informed by the Home Office and their contractor, ‘Clearsprings Ready Homes’, of their intentions to acquire the former hospital. The plan is to convert both Esperance House and Esperance Lodge on Hartington Place into dispersal centers for up to 125 so called asylum seekers.

Josh Babarinde commented on this situation, stating:

“Like all communities, our town takes seriously our part in the legal duty to house those seeking asylum, until their claims are assessed (a process that takes months and sometimes years, thanks to the mess the last Government left our immigration system in). Many have been through unspeakable peril. This responsibility must include adequate scrutiny of the challenges that may be involved in any scheme proposed.”

From this statement, it appears that Josh Babarinde is promoting an open border policy, yet seems hesitant when it comes to his own local area. This is a common narrative we see all too often – advocating for policies that affect others but not wanting the direct impact in one’s own backyard. It’s a case of “not in my backyard” hypocrisy.

The suggestion to use the former hospital for such purposes is simply not acceptable. It should not be seen as an appropriate solution to house invaders anywhere within our homeland. The integrity of our communities and the safety of our people should not be compromised by turning historical and significant buildings into makeshift shelters for those who have invaded our lands. The approach to asylum seekers must be harsh, with a focus on removals and the blocking of them arriving, rather than succumbing to what many perceive as an invasion under the guise of humanitarian aid.

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