Luton’s political leaders have united to condemn claims by a senior Conservative MP that there are parts of the town where “white people won’t go”.
Luton North MP Sarah Owen and council leader Cllr Amjid Ali have both described the comments by Blake Stephenson, the Conservative MP for neighbouring Mid Bedfordshire and a shadow Home Office minister, as unacceptable and untrue.
Cllr Ali has now revealed that he, Luton’s Independent Alliance group leader Cllr Rob Roche and Conservative group leader Cllr Aslam Khan have made a formal complaint about Mr Stephenson’s comments.
The council leaders are also inviting the Conservative MP to visit Luton and meet the people and communities he spoke about.
Mr Stephenson told a Conservative Party conference fringe meeting that Luton was “a shadow of its former self” and claimed there were areas of the town where “white people won’t go”.
He said: “There are parts of that town – and unfortunately the police will tell you this – it can be a very dangerous place. There are parts where white people won’t go. They are like no-go zones.”
He also referred to “ghettoes where there are no-go zones for anybody” while discussing what he described as the need for greater integration.
Ms Owen was the first to comment last night, strongly rejecting the claims, accusing Mr Stephenson of repeating what she called “far-right nonsense”.
The Labour MP added: “It is simply not true. The Shadow Home Office minister will have many constituents who work in Luton and will not recognise his warped description. He should get off social media and meet our many fantastic Lutonians.”
She also called on the new Liberal Democrat-led coalition administration running Luton Council to “disown these comments from their colleagues”, which they did this morning.
Luton Council leader Cllr Amjid Ali (Liberal Democrats) confirmed that he, Independent Alliance group leader Cllr Rob Roche and Conservative group leader Cllr Aslam Khan have jointly made a formal complaint about Mr Stephenson’s comments.
Cllr Ali said: “Luton is a town I am incredibly proud to call home.
“The comments made about Luton by Blake Stephenson are simply unacceptable. They are also completely untrue and do a disservice to the people who live and work in our town.
“There are no ‘no-go zones’ in Luton where white people cannot or will not go.
“That is not the Luton I know, it is not the Luton our residents know, and it is not supported by the facts.”
Cllr Ali said the three group leaders had made a formal complaint about the remarks and would be sending Mr Stephenson an official invitation to visit Luton.
He said the MP should “meet the people and communities he has chosen to speak about”.
The council leader also defended Luton’s reputation, pointing to its diverse communities and the contribution made by residents, charities, businesses, faith groups and voluntary organisations.
“Luton is a town where neighbours look out for one another, where people give their time to support others and where communities come together to help those who need it,” he said.
“Our diversity is not something that divides us. It is part of what makes Luton such a vibrant, welcoming and resilient place.”
Cllr Ali acknowledged that Luton faced challenges but said they did not define the town.
“Of course, like every town, we have challenges. And these are challenges we are tackling head on. But they do not define us, and neither should scare-mongering about our communities,” he said.
“What defines Luton is its people. It is their kindness. Their resilience. Their ambition. Their willingness to stand alongside their neighbours and help one another.”
The council leader also pointed to the town’s future, including the growth of London Luton Airport and major regeneration and investment plans.
Cllr Ali said the town should instead celebrate what he described as its “extraordinary spirit of generosity”.
“We should be proud of what makes Luton different. We should celebrate the contribution made by every part of our community. And we should challenge attempts to portray our town in a way that bears no resemblance to the Luton experienced by the people who live here,” he said.
“We are Luton. We are proud of Luton. And we will continue to stand together.”
Luton Labour councillors also condemned Mr Stephenson’s remarks, accusing him of “parroting far-right narratives”, adding: “It is utterly shameful for a senior Conservative MP to lie about Luton in this way.”
Bedfordshire Police have, in previous years, rejected previous claims of the existence of “no-go areas” in the county.
Today, John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, said: “I am deeply disappointed and angered by the comments attributed to Blake Stephenson MP, suggesting that there are ‘no-go zones’ in Luton where ‘white people won’t go’.
“There is no evidence to support these comments, and neither the Police, the Borough Council nor I recognise the town described in this speech.
“We pride ourselves on Luton’s cultural diversity, respect, and cohesion. We say: ‘No to hate and yes to hope.’”
Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins, posted a video on her social media channels, talking directly to residents, saying: “Are you fed up of seeing outsiders, who don’t know it or us, talk our town down?
“Luton is my home. I was born and raised here, I know our strong, diverse communities, and I’m proud to represent them all.
“While some have been using the last few days to spread dangerous, divisive rhetoric about Luton, I’ve been out actually speaking to residents – hearing from them about what our town needs.
“We are one town of many voices and our diversity makes us stronger. We won’t let people who don’t know it, just seeking attention and pushing their own agenda, try to tell us otherwise.”
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