Dame Andrea Jenkyns blasts soft touch Britain as she defends anti migrant hotel protests

Dame Andrea Jenkyns has launched a fierce defense of protests against migrants being housed in hotels, claiming Britain has become a “soft touch.”

Speaking on GB News, the Reform UK Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire argued that local communities have been ignored as the Government placed illegal migrants in hotels and HMOs across the country. She told viewers: “I want to focus on the people.

The British public didn’t ask for this, and they’ve had no say in this with both Governments. I wouldn’t want it on my doorstep. And I don’t blame every parent out there going out to peacefully protest for your children’s safety and your children’s future, I found it heartbreaking.”

Ms Jenkyns said the frustration felt by families is understandable, stressing that as a parent herself she believes the country should not tolerate the situation any longer. “As a parent, we should no longer have to put up with this, but it’s not going to change while we continue to be soft touch Britain, which creates this pull and they keep coming over.”

Asked how her party would deal with the crisis, she said leader Nigel Farage was in favour of offshore processing. “In that press conference we did in London about six weeks ago, Nigel said we would process them. We’d process them, send them back. We’re looking into a host country to send them to as well, but the most important thing is we’ve got to stop these benefits. We’ve got to stop them getting cinema tickets, stop them going in HMOs, we’ve got to turn them back. That’s the only thing we can do. And on top of that, stop them getting a daily allowance.”

She accused the Government of fuelling the problem by offering incentives for people crossing the Channel, adding that the public should not be left feeling unsafe or ignored when raising concerns about housing migrants in residential areas.

When pressed about the presence of Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick at an anti migrant protest in Epping, Ms Jenkyns was quick to point out his past record. She said: “Robert is still a mate, and I think anybody who goes to call it out, brilliant. But we cannot forget that Robert was the Immigration Minister. How many years was he the minister? Even as a backbencher, I was speaking out, holding debates and challenging the Government on it.”

Her remarks come after a weekend of demonstrations at hotels across the country, where locals voiced anger at the housing of migrants in their towns. Supporters of Reform UK argue that families feel ignored, while critics have condemned the protests as stoking division.

Ms Jenkyns insisted she was standing up for ordinary people who feel powerless. She claimed the Government’s approach not only fails border control but also creates resentment within communities left without a say.

The debate around migrant accommodation looks set to intensify in the coming months, with both major parties under pressure to outline tougher policies as the issue remains at the forefront of British politics.