Blackpool South MP Chris Webb talks about why he wants the Metropole Hotel to be closed to asylum seekers
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00:00Hi, I'm Chris Webb, Member of Parliament for Blackpool South.
00:04Today I stand outside the Metropole Hotel, which has been operating as an asylum hotel since 2021.
00:11This issue is deeply personal to me and important to our community.
00:15Both the location and facilities at the Metropole are wholly inadequate for the purpose of housing asylum seekers.
00:22It's not just about offering shelter.
00:25It's about providing a safe and supportive environment for those who have fled violence, persecution and war.
00:31Blackpool has a proud tradition of hospitality, but we must ensure that they're equipped to meet such critical needs.
00:39Since 2021, I've been vocal in my opposition to the decision to house people here, appealing to the then Tory government to tell them this is the wrong location for an asylum hotel.
00:51Sadly, my concerns and those of many residents and businesses were overlooked.
00:56Since becoming your MP in May, I've raised this issue several times in Parliament and directly with Ministers.
01:03Most recently, I've spoken in Parliament twice, met the Health Secretary, Asylum Minister and saw urgent meetings to discuss our community's needs.
01:13This hotel holds special significance for me.
01:16My mum moved to Blackpool in the early 80s to become a Redcoat right here.
01:20Then a Buckwinds Hotel. This is a place that's a symbol of our town's warmth and spirit.
01:27We must honour that legacy by ensuring the Metropole serves a purpose that benefits all of us.
01:33Blackpool is now the most deprived borough in the country.
01:37And whilst we will always help those in need, we are also struggling after 14 years of austerity.
01:44This situation is placing unbearable strain on our local services, which require additional resources to cope.
01:50We cannot shoulder this burden alone. It's time for the owners of the Metropole to take action.
01:56That's why I'm leading the charge to demand that this hotel should be closed as an asylum hotel immediately.
02:02It must be invested in and returned to its original purpose as a destination for holidaymakers and locals.
02:09Doing so will not only help with Blackpool's regeneration, but also restore our vibrant holiday scene.
02:16Together we can create a community that welcomes those in need, while supporting the wellbeing and prosperity of our residents.
02:23Blackpool deserves a future where compassion and practicality go hand in hand.
02:28Let's work together to build a better Blackpool.